President Akufo-Addo has charged traditional leaders to desist from giving out lands to illegal mining activists as the government roll out measures to fight against the menace.[ads2]
According to the President, it is the responsibility of the government and traditional leaders to protect the lands of the country from illegal small scale miners in order to protect the heritage for the next generation.
Speaking at a meeting with the National House of Chiefs and the MMDCEs in Kumasi on Wednesday October 5, President Akufo-Addo tasked them to team up and win the battle against illegal mining activities in the country.
“I ask all of you to join hands in the fight against illegal mining. We have to win that fight, to protect our heritage for the next generation.[ads3]
He continued that, “80 per cent of the lands in this country continue to be under your custody, much of it having been acquired through the blood and sacrifices of your ancestors. The reminder of 20 per cent which I hold in trust of the people of Ghana, derived from state acquisition from you. What this means is that ultimately, the welfare of the state of the lands is our joint responsibility, although by statute the minerals in the soil belong to the president in trust for the people.”
On their part, the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohoo Yaw Gyebi assured President Akufo-Addo their readiness to support the government in the fight against the menace.[ads4]
“Your relentless war against forest degradation and illegal mining in Ghana is of great importance to Ghanaians especially we the chiefs.
“The effects of illegal mining on the environment threaten the survival of water bodies , farmlands, cocoa industry and even encouraging school dropouts, this undermins the revenue mobilsation drive in the country.
“In view of this development [the Chiefs] are solidly behind your administration to apply the appropriate sanctions against persons who are engaged in the practice illegal mining irrespective of their status.”[ads5]
