Following the President’s meeting with the members of the National House of Chiefs at Manhyia Palace on Wednesday, the Paramount Chief of Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council, Katakyie Kwasi Bumagama II, has banned illegal mining activities in his jurisdiction.
Illegal mining has caused extensive damage to the environment, particularly water bodies, forest reserves, and farmland, and threatened food security with debilitating socio-economic consequences.
His Royal Highness feels the fight against illegal mining was not the responsibility of politicians alone but the responsibility of all Ghanaians for the desired results to be achieved.
Speaking with Uniq Fm after a meeting with the divisional Chief’s at Okogyeabour Palace in Sefwi Wiawso, the chief of Paboase, Nana Frimpong Manso, who spoke on behalf of Katakyie Kwasi Bumagama II, said all Divisional Chiefs in the area have two weeks to ensure that all earth moving machines and heavy equipment used in galamsey activities be moved from all illegal mining site in the area.
His Royal Highness stated that any chief under Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council who goes contrary to his orders will be sanctioned.
He further warned settlers who have sold their farmlands to galamsey operators to stop forthwith or have their lands seized.
The Paramount Chief who doubles as a Board Member of the Ghana Forestry Commission also called on all government and security agencies to assist in combating illegal mining activities in the area.
It is on record that the newly created western north region with its regional capital is on the land of Okatakyie Kwesi Gamangama.
The region has a total of 9 Municipal and District Assemblies and 6 out it falls under the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council namely Bia east, Bia west, Sefwi Wiawso municipal, Akontombra, Juaboso and Bodi districts which all illegal mining activities have been banned by the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council.
