Asantehene backs ban on galamsey; commends government for latest fight

The Asantehene, Otumfour Osei Tutu II, has directed all illegal small-scale miners in the Ashanti Region to comply with government’s ban on all forms of illegal small-scale mining popularly known as galamsey.

The ban, which he says is a bold political step, is aimed at helping curb the menace.

The Asantehene made the remarks on Friday, May 19 when the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, John-Peter Amewu, his two deputies, government officials and the Australian High Commissioner paid a courtesy call on him as part of a working visit to galamsey sites in the Region.

The Asantehene lauded the Lands Ministry for the bold political action taken to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the country.

He lamented the lack of political will by past governments in dealing with the situation, regretting how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other state agencies mandated to manage the environment had not been effective. He pledged his full support for the actions taken.

ggThe sector minister reiterated government’s commitment to sanitize the sector.