The Chief of Osino in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area of the Eastern Region, Osaberima Otu Darko IV, has suggested to the government to fully involve traditional rulers in mining communities in the fight against illegal mining popularly called galamsey, stressing that any measures taken without their involvement would be doomed to fail.
Osaberima Otu Darko, urged that, if President John Dramani Mahama wants to fight the illegal miners in the country to safeguard our polluted water bodies and lands he should involve the traditional rulers.
He was addresseding a gathering of media representatives following a stakeholders’ meeting with community members.
The meeting aimed to review the previous year’s progress and devise strategies to combat illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking to the media, the Chief of Osino in the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Osaberima Otu Darko IV, emphasized on crucial role traditional rulers must play in the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
He noted that the action is particularly significant, given the devastating impact of galamsey on Ghana’s environment, water bodies, and forest reserves.
According to him, the practice, which has been ongoing since the 1970s, has become a large-scale problem, with far-reaching consequences for the country’s ecosystem and natural resources.
Osaberima Darko, stated that, although the previous government is committed to taken various measures such as the involvement of the security agencies to fight the illegal miners, that could not hold water because traditional rulers, the custodians of the land, had not been actively involved.
He explained that, the chiefs were the custodians of the land in the mining areas who knew the illegal miners staying among other people in the mining towns, communities, villages and even hamlet deep in the forest.
Such chiefs, Osaberima Darko stressed, could point out the illegal miners without fear for them to be apprehended to face the full rigours of the law.
He reiterated that, by involving traditional rulers in the fight against galamsey, the government can tap into their influence and authority within their respective communities, adding that collaborative approach can help raise awareness about the dangers of illegal mining and mobilize community support for efforts to combat it.
Osaberima Darko expressed deep concern about the alarming trend of some community members accusing and blaming traditional chiefs, including himself, of supporting and colluding with foreigners to engage in illegal mining activities, adding that, unfounded accusation, he noted, not only tarnishes the reputation of chiefs in mining areas but also renders their position powerless and unbearable, making it increasingly challenging for them to effectively address the issue.
The Chief lamented that a particularly distressing consequence of illegal mining was the failure of miners to cover the pits they left behind, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives.
He proposed a novel solution to the issue of illegal mining, suggesting that the government consider granting mining licenses to traditional chiefs, and with the approach, he argued, would enable chiefs to regulate mining activities on their lands and ensure that the environment is properly reclaimed after mining operations cease.
He pointed out that chiefs have a vested interest in preserving their lands for future generations and would therefore be more inclined to adhere to environmentally responsible mining practices, while in contrast, foreign companies often prioritize profits over sustainability, leaving behind devastated landscapes and polluted waterways.
He stressed that by empowering chiefs to manage mining activities, the government can promote more responsible and environmentally conscious mining practices, while also addressing the issue of illegal mining.
Osaberima Darko emphasized that despite the government’s access to extensive resources and personnel, including the police and military, efforts to curb illegal mining have been unsuccessful, however, he firmly believes that if traditional chiefs are actively engaged in the process, the problem of galamsey can be effectively resolved.
Osaberima Darko made a passionate appeal to the Ghanaian youth, particularly those from Osino communities, to prioritize education and knowledge acquisition, and however urged them to shun illegal mining activities, which offer fleeting benefits but ultimately threaten their future.
Instead, the Chief encouraged the youth to explore alternative, lucrative opportunities that can bring prosperity without compromising the environment or their own livelihoods. By doing so, they can secure a brighter future for themselves and generations to come.
Osaberima Darko also appealed to parents to prioritize their children’s education, emphasizing the importance of supporting their wards’ academic development.
He stressed the need for parents to ensure that their children remain in school, rather than dropping out to engage in illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey. By doing so, parents can help secure a brighter future for their children and break the cycle of poverty and environmental degradation associated with galamsey.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Paul Manyo
