President Akufo-Addo interacting with Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin (left) after the meeting. With them is Nana Adutwumwaa (seated right), Okyehemaa and the delegation. Picture by Gifty Ama Lawson
President Akufo-Addo has reiterated his resolve to end the menace of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in the country.
Even though he started the fight in his first term of office, he admitted to the fact that ‘someway, somehow’, it suffered a major setback which affected the fight against galamsey.
That notwithstanding, he promised to do whatever it takes to bring it to an end in his second term.
“I intend to do everything within my power in this second term to bring this galamsey menace to a conclusion in Ghana,” he said during a meeting him with Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council led by the Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin.
Speaking through a spokesman, the Gyaasehene of the Akyem Abuakwa State and Paramount Chief of Akyem Kwabeng, Daasebre Anyimadu Kantamanto, and Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, expressed concern about the spate of galamsey in the country.
The Okyenhene said the activities of illegal miners has not only affected rivers and water bodies but farming and food production, and said it was time to clampdown such illegal activities to save the country from major disaster.
He also complained about the growing number of vehicular accidents on the Nsawam-Apedwa road, which he blamed on the make of the road – which is a single lane, as well as indiscipline by drivers in particular, and appealed to the President for a dual carriage road.
The chiefs also expressed concern about the frosty relations between some government appointees, especially District Chief Executives (DCE) with traditional leaders.
President Akufo-Addo promised not to countenance on any of his appointees who fail to live in peaceful coexistence with their host community, especially their traditional leaders.
The President said his government would take a second look at the call for the Nsawam-Apedwa highway to be made a dual carriage road.
He also promised not to bring shame and disgrace to Okyeman and the Akyem Abuakwa stool of which he is a proud son.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu