The Asantehene, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called for the exposure of financiers of illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, in the Ashanti Region.
Speaking in Asante Twi, the King expressed concern that the real culprits behind galamsey are being shielded while the labourers are arrested.
According to the King, chiefs in the Ashanti Region cannot pretend they do not know about galamsey, adding that it is preposterous.
He lamented that it is not right for the labourers to be arrested, and their photographs taken, to pretend that something is being done to combat illegal mining.
Otumfuo questioned whether these labourers have the money to buy the excavators and changfan machines used for galamsey, saying that it is someone who has bought all the expensive equipment.
“The gold goes through the airport and nobody sees them,” he added.
The Asantehene, therefore, warned that the fight against illegal mining would not make much headway if the financiers behind it are not arrested.
According to Otumfuo, illegal miners smuggle out gold, which denies the government foreign exchange to develop the nation.
He reminded chiefs in the Ashanti Region that people undertook mining in the past but did it responsibly without destroying the rivers and lands.
“Chiefs, government officials and politicians, in general, are all complicit in this galamsey menace,” the King said.
As part of the Otumfuo Commemorative Gold Coin project, the Asantehene called for support to win his war against illegal mining in the Ashanti Region.