Dr. Hassan Ayariga, leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), has called on Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to utilize his influential position to stop galamsey, or illegal mining, in Ghana, particularly in the Ashanti Region.
Ayariga’s plea is driven by concerns over the environmental destruction caused by galamsey, including the degradation of water bodies, farmlands, and cocoa lands.
Speaking in an interview on Oyerepa Breakfast Time on the sidelines of Organised Labour’s threat to embark on a nationwide strike in relation to galamsey menace, Ayariga stated that, there is only one person in Ghana (Asantehene) who can stop illegal mining.
According to him, Otumfuo holds more power than President Nana Addo, citing the Asantehene’s lifelong position and the deep respect he commands from his people.
“… Asantes respect their King more than Akufo-Addo becuase their king is for life and if their king (Otumfuo) says stop Galamsey, everthing will stop.”
Ayariga believes that if Otumfuo were to instruct mining companies to cease operations, they would promptly comply, as no company dares to mine in the Ashanti Region without his authority.
“…Nobody, no mining company can mine in Ashanti Region without the authority of Asantehene. That company dare not. So if Asantehene wants to stop people from mining in Ashanti, because they are destroying his water bodies, he shoud just make one call and tell his boys to stop them and they’ll stop because he’s more powerful to stopping them than even the president of Ghana.”
The APC leader continued that, the Asantehene’s influence and authority remain significant, and his involvement in addressing galamsey could be a turning point in the fight against this environmental menace.
As a result, “The king (Asantehen) and his people must learn to protect their country because their children and grandchildren will suffer from the menace of galamsey.If there’s too much destruction of water bodies, farmlands and cocoa lands, Asantehene should standupand make that call to stop galamsey.”
Ayariga however called on Organised Labour to rescind their decision because if they do not petiotion the Asantehene, their efforts will not yield positive outcome.
“..So before Organise labour strkes, they should go to Asantehene first and beg him to stop galamsey.”
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com/Joseph Marfo
