Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has identified corruption and political miscalculations as significant contributors to the unsuccessful battle against illegal mining, commonly referred to as ‘galamsey’.
He asserts that these issues have hindered national efforts over the years to combat this problem, despite numerous interventions.
During his address at the Global Mining Summit in Accra on Monday, June 2, the Asantehene cautioned that the ongoing destruction of water bodies due to illegal mining represents a grave threat to the nation’s environment and future.
He urged for immediate and sustained measures to put an end to these unlawful activities.
“The contamination of our water bodies, the devastation of our forests, and the degradation of our pristine lands must not be permitted to persist unchecked. It is undeniable that the combination of regulatory failures, political miscalculations, and corruption has made it increasingly difficult to mitigate this issue. We have the chance to thoughtfully analyze the policy options and tools at our disposal to tackle this problem,” he stated.
Additionally, he characterized the government’s launch of Gold for Oil (Gold4Oil) as a commendable initiative that presents new opportunities for the mining sector, with the potential to draw in more investment and enhance production yields.
“The introduction of the new Goldbod is an innovative initiative that we require for the advancement of the industry, increasing the likelihood of greater investment and improved yields. It brings a new sense of urgency to the challenges we are endeavoring to address,” he remarked.
