Katakyie Kwasi Bumangama ll, the Paramount Chief of Sefwi-Wiawso Traditional Area has cautioned his divisional chiefs against illegal mining activities popularly known as “Galamsey”.
“I will not shield any sub-chief who is found engaging in galamsey. That chief will be de-stooled and the law will be allowed to take its course to serve as deterrent to others”, the Paramount chief warned.
Katakyie Bumangama was addressing the chiefs and people of Sefwi at the 2021 Elluo Festival (Yam Festival), under the theme: “Uplifting the Image of Sefwi Wiawsoman and beyond.”
According to the chief, the fight against illegal mining was not the responsibility of politicians alone but that of all Ghanaians for the desired results to be achieved.
He noted with concern how illegal mining had caused extensive damage to the environment, particularly water bodies, forest reserved and farmland and threatened food security with debilitating socio-economic consequences.
He noted particularly how illegal mining activities had affected the socio-economic development of the Region and was gradually destroying the farmland meant for cocoa production in some affected communities.
In that regard, Katakyie Bumangama underscored the need for all hands to be on deck to ensure that the activity was stopped to save the water bodies and the forest for future generations.
He also called on his sub-chiefs to support the government’s vision to end illegal mining in the region and pledged to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure that illegal mining activities were stopped in the newly created Western North Region.
He encouraged miners and prospective miners to leverage on the government’s community mining programme initiative to secure license from the appropriate quarters to mine responsibly in the Region.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Forestry Commission, Madam Martha Kwayie Manu commended the Paramount chief for his numerous efforts to protect the forest from unlawful farming and illegal mining activities.
She assured the chief of her continued support and urged the public to serve as watchdogs and report issues of illegal mining, unlawful farming and illegal chainsaw operators to law enforcement agencies for the necessary action to be taken.
