Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II (3rd right), Bono Regional Minister, (4th right), with members of the House
President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, has declared that no chief in the region is engaged in illegal mining operations, popularly known as ‘galamsey’.
Speaking at the general house of chiefs meeting, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu ll, who doubles as the Dormaahene, in his welcome address said the issues of illegal mining in the region have resulted in river bodies being polluted with Mercury, Cyanide, and other dangerous chemicals, and therefore urged indigenes of the region to support the regional minister and the coordinating council to curb the menace.
“In Bono, no chief is doing galamsey, but if it comes to your notice that chiefs are engaging in it, don’t shield anyone,” he stated, urging the minister to fight the canker irrespective of political affiliation or status in society.
Contributing, the Omanhene of Seikwa Traditional Area, Daasebre Okogyeaman Duodu Ampem II, lamented the menace of galamsey activities over River Tain at Banda, Wenchi, Hani, and other areas, which have rendered the river undrinkable for communities along it, urging the minister to do all in his power to stop it.
Daasebre Okogyeaman Duodo Ampem II advised members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) not to get involved in galamsey activities, saying, “Be careful NDC members do not take over the galamsey activities. What I am saying is, they are aware of what is going on.”
Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu ll also lamented about deplorable roads in the region, saying it is discouraging business activities like cashew transportation from districts of production to city centres.
He further pleaded with the NDC government through the minister to fix major roads such as Wenchi-Nsawkaw, Wenchi-Badu, Nsawkaw- Sampa. “Berekum-Sampa has been budgeted for in every budget of every government since JJ Rawlings’ time, but failed to see the light of day,” he disclosed.
The Dormaahene further complained to the Regional Coordinating Council about the announcement by the Asantehene to elevate some chiefs in the Bono Region to Paramountcy, saying the Bono Regional House of Chiefs rejected the decision, stressing that he was elected as the House’s president to protect what belongs to Nananom, so he will never allow Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to carry out his plan.
Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboah, entreated the House to settle all disputes using the Judicial Committee of the House, promising that as chairman of the regional security council he would not tolerate any chief using his authority to usurp the power of others.
FROM Daniel Y. Dayee, Sunyani