Galamsey: If Otumfuo has been able to crack the whip, why can't you do same? - Sefa Kayi asks government

Veteran broadcaster Kwami Sefa Kayi has questioned why the Akufo-Addo government is unable to deal ruthlessly with the menace of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

Commenting on a discussion on illegal mining on his show on Peace FM on Monday, September 2, 2024, monitored by GhanaWeb, the experienced journalist stressed that the government, using the state's machinery at its disposal, should not find it difficult to win the battle against illegal mining if indeed there's the political will.

He added that if the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, an individual, has been able to crack the whip on chiefs in his jurisdiction who are involved in galamsey, then the government has no excuse for failing in the fight against galamsey.

"When Otumfuo was destooling the three chiefs, he mentioned that he contracted the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) to conduct an investigation. So the state apparatus knows about this (galamsey). So if Otumfuo has been able to do this, why can't the government do the same?

"When it comes to the issue of land, chiefs are involved, M/DCE, police commander, NIB - they all know this, so why? A whole country like Ghana has the armed forces, police, and internal security. If we cannot deal with even matters of internal security, what then shall we do when there's external aggression?" Sefa Kayi asked.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, last week destooled three chiefs in the Ashanti Region for their involvement in illegal mining (galamsey).

The three chiefs - Gyaasehene of Sabronum, Nana Awua Gyau Atuomi; Sabronum’s Akyeamehene, and the Baamuhene - have been banned from performing any traditional mandate on behalf of the Asantehene, who is the Overlord of the Asante Kingdom.

The Asantehene subsequently appointed the Akwamuhene of Sabronum as the interim caretaker of the area to supervise the election of a new candidate, as part of the process to enstool a new chief in the area.

"I gave the town to you; you could not take care of it. I’ve long been following up on this matter. This is also the report from the National Investigations Bureau (NIB). Your names are clearly mentioned here in this report," the Asantehene told the Gyaasehene and the two others in their faces when they attended upon the summons of the Asanteman Council at the Manhyia Palace last Monday.

"If I still keep you in charge, you will destroy my communities and ruin the lives of our people. If it is the DCE who could not boldly call you to order, I have done that," Otumfuo angrily said, and threatened to get them arrested if they went back to the community to carry themselves as traditional leaders and continue with their nefarious activities.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II expressed his concerns, as did the local population, emphasizing that the illicit mining operations had devastated the lush vegetation and water sources, making them the scourge of the people.

The Gyaasehene had been appointed caretaker chief of the town, which does not yet have a Paramount Chief. However, the King claimed that these same leaders were actually spearheading the illicit mining operations.

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