The Asantehene Otumfou Osei Tutu II has threatened to summon any chief in the Ashanti Region whose land is used for illegal mining also known as galamsey.

The Asantehene said chiefs cannot pretend to be innocent when their lands are being used for illegal activities.

Speaking at a meeting with the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs in Kumasi, the Asantehene said chiefs must be held responsible.

“Next year any chief whose land is used for illegal mining will be summoned and questioned. If we visit your land and it has been used for galamsey we will question you and if you are unable to give any valid reason we will sanction you.”

Chiefs have been noted as key stakeholders in the fight against illegal mining because of their authority over lands vested in them.

As part of the recent renewed attention on illegal mining, President Akufo-Addo met with the National House of Chiefs to seek their support in the illegal mining fight.

Before that meeting, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, had blamed Chiefs, among others, for the worsening state of illegal mining in the country.

Source: Citi Newsroom