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Galamsey: We can’t deceive ourselves with conferences let’s be truthful – Otumfuo Osei Tutu II

 Speaking at a Regional Consultative Dialogue on Small Scale Mining in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday May 12, 2021, the Asantehene indicated that it has now been urgent to address the issue of illegal mining.

 In his submission, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, condemned persons who engage themselves in the activities of illegal miners but join meetings and conferences aimed at addressing the menace.

 He indicated that it is the responsibility of the District Chief Executives (DCEs) to lead the fight of illegal mining activities within the various districts.

 “To this end, district chief executives as chairpersons of the District Security Councils (DISECs) should be held directly responsible for the situation of illegal mining within their respective districts. “Greed, dishonesty and hypocrisy ought to be jettisoned in this crusade,” he stated

 He also explained that even as the government is in action to fighting the activity, it should engage the chiefs of the communities.

“is absolutely imperative, for they continue to be the custodians of our communities across the country”. “We should go beyond paying lip service to our traditional authorities as custodians of our communal land and seriously and factitively engage them (chiefs) in this collective crusade,” he stated.

 He has however praise the Lands and Natural Resources Minister for his enormous desire in achieving the objectives of the ministry.

“I commend my son, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Honourable Samuel Abu Jinapor, for his eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of the goals of the ministry. Without doubt, this young man has shown passion and commitment to sanitise the sector. We have to give him maximum support so that he succeeds in this undertaking,” he said.

For chiefs in his domain who were told to be engaging in the act, the Asantehene warned that he would deal with them when caught.

“On my part, I have already warned my Chiefs and elders against participation in such illegalities, and I will not hesitate to strongly sanction any such infraction. Already I have had reports on some things happening at Amanse, the Fomena area, and I will be investigating that to see what is happening,” he added.