Sefwi Traditional Council bans galamsey

Following the President Akufo-Addo’s meeting with the National House of Chiefs at the Manhyia Palace Wednesday, October 5, 2022, the Paramount Chief of Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area, Katakyie Kwasi Bumagama II, has outlawed illegal mining activities in his paramountcy.

The galamsey menace has become topical after government renewed its war against it following the destruction it is causing to Ghana’s water bodies and the environment.

It has caused extensive damage to the environment, particularly water bodies, forest reserves, and farmland, and threatened food security with debilitating socio-economic consequences.

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer has also added their voices to it asking why the fight hasn’t been successful despite the commitment government claims it has made towards it.

Katakyie Bumagama feels the fight against illegal mining should not be the responsibility of politicians alone but all Ghanaians for the desired results to be achieved.

In his encounter with the media after the chiefs meeting with the divisional chiefs at Okogyeabour Palace in Sefwi Wiawso, the chief of Paboase, Nana Frimpong Manso, who spoke on behalf of Katakyie Kwasi Bumagama II, said “all divisional chiefs in the area have two weeks to ensure that all earth moving machines and heavy equipment used in galamsey activities be moved from all illegal mining sites in the area.”

He stated any chief under Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Area who goes contrary to his orders will be sanctioned.

He further warned settlers who have sold their farmlands to galamsey operators to stop forthwith or have their lands seized.

The Paramount Chief who doubles as a Board Member of the Ghana Forestry Commission also called on all government and security agencies to assist in combating illegal mining activities in the area.