National House Of Chiefs Prez. Calls For Collective Effort To Fight Galamsey
The Paramount chief of the Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area in the western north region has expressed worries about the persistence of illegal mining ( Galamsey) activities in some parts of the country.
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His Royal Highness, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi ll , who is also the President of the National House of Chiefs made the worrying remarks on the AM Show on Joynews on Monday September 4 th 2023 in an exclusive interview with Samuel Kojo Brace and monitored by matcommedia online news portal.
According to the Paramount chief of the Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area, though illegal mining activities still persist in some parts of his traditional area, he is not giving room for the Galamseyers to destroy the forest reserves and pollute the river bodies.
He noted that as a traditional ruler he has already cautioned his sub and divisional chiefs not to involve themselves in any form of illegal mining ( Galamsey) activities because he will apply sanctions to any chief found culpable.
Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi ll, hinted to Samuel Kojo Brace during the exclusive interview that he influenced the arrest of 4 of his chiefs in his traditional area to sign an undertaking to refrain from their involvement into Galamsey activities.
He noted that proper and responsible mining is the way to go which he believes will can go a long way to protect our environment and the country’s river / water bodies from being polluted with poisonous chemicals .
The President of the National house of chiefs further disclosed in his interview that chiefs are sometimes compelled to use their own resources to fight illegal mining activities within their jurisdictions.
Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi ll, noted also that politicians, the media, traditional rulers , civil society organisations must have stake in the illegal mining fight.
According to the Paramount chief of Sefwi Anhwiaso traditional area, he is blessed with 4 giant mining companies operating in Bibiani, Awaso , Merewa and Chirano.
He further disclosed that he has partnered the University of Mines and Technology ( UMaT ) to create study center by providing skills for residents in his traditional area.
Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi ll , spoke very tough and angrily about the management of Asante Gold of which Bibiani Mensin Gold is operating under over their failure to pay for contractors who they engage their services.
The Sefwi Awhianso paramount chief did not mince words when he angrily spoke about the failure of the management of Asante Gold to resettle residents of Bibiani old town because their blasting and other operational activities of the mining company has affected the residents.
Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi ll, therefore tasked the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) and the Minerals Commission ( Mincom) to be proactive in combating these issues .
