Former Deputy General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Lawyer Obiri Boahen, has emphasized the importance of involving chiefs (Nananom) in the signing of final permits for mining, stating that the Minerals Commission must engage them in this process.
Lawyer Obiri Boahen highlighted the devastating impact of galamsey on our environment, including the destruction of vegetation and the pollution of rivers and streams due to the use of harmful substances.
His comments came in response to the sentencing of Chinese national, En Huang, also known as Aisha Huang, to four and a half years in prison for engaging in illegal mining in Ghana.
During an exclusive interview on the Oyerepa Breakfast Show on Tuesday, Lawyer Obiri Boahen explained that the issue of galamsey cannot be effectively addressed unless chiefs are involved in the signing of final permits and the granting of licenses for mining activities.
He emphasized the crucial role that chiefs play in combating galamsey in the country and stressed the need for them to have the authority to scrutinize mining applications before final permits are issued.
“ Look you can’t do galamsey in Dormaa because the Chief has remained committed insisting he would not allow that to happen in Dormaa unless you have regularized your documents “ he stated.
He maintained that the government cannot fight the menace alone without the involvement of traditional rulers, customarily regarded as custodians of land.
“Our chiefs owe it a duty to themselves and posterity to protect the forest and water bodies” he added.
The Minerals Commission is responsible for the regulation and management of the utilization of the mineral resources of Ghana and the coordination and implementation of policies related to mining (The Minerals Commission Act 1993, Act 450).
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com/ Nana Freduah Agyemang Derrick
