The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has chastised chiefs who have allowed illegal miners to destroy their lands and polluted water bodies.
Addressing the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs Friday, October 14, 2022, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, said, chiefs cannot exempt themselves from the blame because some of them are directly benefiting from illegal mining in their areas.
He said most of the chiefs have reneged on their core responsibilities to protect lands from illegal miners.
“The chiefs sat on the defense and watched lands and water bodies being destroyed in the name of galamsey. I am blaming most of you chiefs for not doing enough in your caretaker roles in land protection. You sit aloof and allow our lands to be destroyed in the name of galamsey,” he stressed.
He condemned chiefs for not reporting galamsey activities to appropriate authorities for redress.
“How many of you even took the initiative to report to me or anyone?,” he questioned.
He accused the chiefs of taking something from the illegal miners, hence, their inability to talk about galamsey issues.
By Benjamin Aidoo|AkomaFM|Onuaonline.com
