Queenmother of Fankyenebra, Nana Akua Afriyie, has asked government to arrest and prosecute chiefs involved in galamsey activities.
She says that’s the only means to deter traditional authorities involved in illegal mining to stop.
She made the statement during an engagement with district mining committees and other stakeholders in the Ashanti Region to discuss how to curb illegal mining with officials from the ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
She stressed the need for stringent measures to be taken against those engaging in illegal mining in the country.
“If a chief is arrested, prosecuted and jailed, he will learn his lessons and he will also lose his position as a chief. There is enough motivation for chiefs to prevent galamsey in their respective areas,” she noted.
Meanwhile, some traditional rulers present at the meeting blamed government officials for the increasing galamsey in the country.
They said people indulge in galamsey because government gives them the permit.
Chief of Amakye Bare, Nana Gyedu Kumani, reiterated his commitment to preventing galamsey in his area.
“Government should give us powers to prevent people from doing galamsey in our area,” proposed.
The Chief of Adugyama, Nana Boakye Yiadom, said chiefs should be involved in the fight against galamsey in the country.
He emphatically appealed to other chiefs in the country to protect the lives and interest of their people.
By Benjamin Aidoo|AkomaFM|Onuaonline.com
