[ 2012-07-09 ]

Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II

Deal with chiefs involved in galamsey - Asantehene
The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has noted
with deep concern the complicity of some of the
chiefs in the region in illegal mining (galamsey)
and resolved to support the government in dealing
with the problem.

He said some of the chiefs colluded with illegal
miners to inflict damage on the environment and
fleece the nation of needed revenue.

Speaking at the general meeting of the Ashanti
Region House of Chiefs in Kumasi, the Asantehene
said every move that would help uproot the canker
must be supported to the letter.

In attendance was Mr Mike Hammah, the Minister of
Lands and Natural Resources.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu, who is also the Life President
of the Ashanti Region House of Chiefs, said the
environment needed to be protected at all cost for
the benefit of generations yet unborn.

He said the new office complex for the house
currently under construction would be completed by
the end of March, 2013.

He commended the minister for honouring the
invitation of Nananom to attend the meeting.

For his part, Mr Hammah assured Nananom of the
ministry’s commitment to the proper management of
the land they had given to ministry to manage.

He said the Forestry Commission would not condone
the situation where contractors refused to pay
royalties which deprived land owners and local
authorities of their legitimate revenues.

Mr Hammah also said the disbursement and payment
of royalties to the Office of the Administration
of Stool Lands (OASL) had improved significantly
over the years.

The minister added that henceforth official copies
of all timber rights allocation would be sent to
the respective paramount chiefs to ensure greater
transparency and accountability.

Touching on the mining sector, Mr Hammah said that
the spate of illegal mining activities countrywide
was of much concern to the government.

He said that situation had been worsened by some
land owners conniving with illegal miners, by
offering parcels of land to them for money.

Mr Hammah indicated that the government was
providing equipment and financial support to legal
small mining cooperatives and groups to assist
them improve their operations.

He said the assistance tends to serve as a form of
enticement for illegal miners to regularise their
activities.

Source - Daily Graphic

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