The National House of Chiefs has appealed to the government to actively engage traditional leaders in combating illegal mining, known locally as “Galamsey,” stressing that without the active participation of traditional rulers, any approach to addressing the issue would be ineffective.
Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, President of the National House of Chiefs, made the call during the year-end meeting of the House in Kumasi. He emphasized the need for collaboration between the government and chiefs, urging the authorities to work closely with traditional leaders to develop a comprehensive plan and allocate necessary resources to combat illegal mining effectively.
Highlighting the link between illegal mining and activities within forest reserves, Ogyeahoho Gyebi acknowledged the government's intention behind the policy on mining in forest reserves but noted that the results indicated insincerity among the beneficiaries of the policy. He urged a re-examination of the policy to prevent the rapid depletion of the country's forest reserves, safeguarding the future for the youth and subsequent generations.
Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi also stressed the importance of international collaboration to address climate change issues. He called on chiefs to actively contribute to peace-building efforts and ensure that the upcoming elections in the following year are conducted in a peaceful, free, and fair atmosphere.
Mr. Stephen Asamoah Boateng, Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, shared updates on the Ministry's efforts to resolve chieftaincy disputes across the country.
He announced the upcoming establishment of a Chieftaincy Management System (CMS) aimed at facilitating connections and collaboration among chiefs while preserving Ghana's rich cultural heritage.
The minister further urged chiefs to release land for additional investments, emphasizing the role of traditional leaders in supporting economic development initiatives.