By Alex Boye
The Nponuahene of Akuapem Adukrom in the Eastern Region, Nana Obri Atakorah Asare, has called on government to empower Traditional Leaders to assist in addressing issues of galamsey in the country.
He said the powers of chiefs to arrest recalcitrant citizens have diminished over time and there is very little they could do to salvage the vile environmental degradation perpetrated through wanton exploitation of gold.
Speaking at a press conference in the Eastern Region yesterday, the chief urged government to fully involve traditional rulers in mining communities in the fight against illegal mining.
He indicated that measures taken without the involvement of chiefs would be a total failure in the fight against the Galamsey menace.
Commenting on the president’s defence of Akonta Mine over its alleged involvement in Galamsey activities as unfortunate, the chief said such was a clear indication that politicians cannot win the Galamsey fight without the traditional leaders.
He added that there will always be a conflict of interest in their attempt to fight Galamsey. Hence, the need to infest the power in the chiefs to champion the fight.
The chief also pleaded with those involving in galamsey activities to stop for the betterment of Ghana’s developmental growth.
