The fight against illegal small-scale gold mining popularly known as “galamsey” would succeed if traditional chiefs in the mining areas throw their weight behind it, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Samuel Abu Jinapor has noted.
He said the government was determined and committed to ending illegal mining but the support of the traditional leaders was needed to halt the menace which is threatening the survival of current and future generation.
Mr. Jinapor said he was making this assertion on the fact that 80-90 percent of lands in the country were customary lands and the authority of these lands are vested in the chiefs.
To that end, he said, the efficient management of the lands and natural resources needed the full support of the chiefs, adding that without them it would be impossible to win the fight against illegal mining.
He said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs in Koforidua.
He noted that if illegal mining was not stopped, Ghana would import water shortly.
On his part, Nene Sakitey II, Konor of Manya Krobo and the President of Eastern Regional House of Chief, assured the government of the support of the chiefs to stop illegal mining in the area.
Evelyn Harvey, ISD
