Stop supporting ‘galamsey’ – Akufo-Addo tells Chiefs

President Nana Akufo-Addo has bemoaned the practice of chiefs supporting illegal mining activities, otherwise known as ‘galamsey’, which destroys the environment.

“Unfortunately, there are occasions, I say so with the greatest of respect, when there are chiefs who are complicit in the decisions that are taken about galamsey operations and everything,” Mr Akufo-Addo said in an interaction with traditional rulers from the National House of Chiefs.

The president of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV, led a delegation from the House to pay a courtesy call on the president on Tuesday, February 7.

Mr Akufo-Addo urged the chiefs to fight the practice which leads to degradation of the environment “else sooner than later we will all get up and find out that we have devastated our country and its future”.

He indicated that there is an “obligation on all of us that we bring this phenomenon under control and I will seek your full cooperation”.

He said there were proposals that would be laid before parliament to ensure that the environment is protected, and the chiefs have very important roles to play in ensuring that it is a success.

“I am counting on you and the expressions of goodwill for me and my administration in order to make it possible for that to happen,” he added.