Otumfuo supports ban on Galamsey

Fight against illegal mining in the country received a massive boost last Friday, May 19, 2017 when the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II commended the government for its boldness to stop further degradation of the nation’s lands, forestry and water bodies.

Pointing that illegal mining popularly known as galamsey had been going on in the country for many years now, he noted that successive governments did not have the political will to fight it.

Asantehene, whose jurisdiction is one of the badly affected by the illegal mining in the country blamed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minerals Commission for their inefficiencies which he said have led to the pathetic degradation of the nation’s natural resources.

The Monarch was addressing the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Mr. Peter Amewu, his two deputies and some members of the Forestry Commission when they paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace.

Mr. Amewu and his team were in the Ashanti Region for a four- day working visit.

As part of the visit, they were expected to meet New Patriotic Party (NPP) y activists and Small Scale Miners Association.

Prior to the visit, members of the Small-Scale Miners Association called on the Asantehene to prevail on government to change its mind on the six month ban on small scale and illegal mining in the country.

The group at a press conference a day before the minister’s arrival issued several threats including embarking on a demonstration should the minister fail to rescind his decision on the ban.