The National House of Chiefs has taken a bold stance on combating illegal mining (galamsey), outlining a raft of crucial be resolutions aimed at curbing this destructive practice.
These decisive measures were crafted after a substantive dialogue meeting with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its liaison groups on 25 January 2024.
A communique signed by the president, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, said the National House of Chiefs is set to adopt a naming and shaming strategy directed at both political and traditional authorities engaged in illegal mining activities. This move underlines a commitment to transparency and accountability in addressing the challenges posed by galamsey.
Furthermore, recognising the imperative to bolster the authority of the National House of Chiefs in pertinent laws, a proposal for such strengthening has been put forward.
The document also suggested an amendment to the EPA Act, to empower traditional leaders to actively combat the galamsey menace.
A notable recommendation emphasized the establishment of a special court dedicated to prosecuting individuals involved in illegal mining.
In addition to these measures, the National House of Chiefs is advocating for a meeting with political parties. The objective is to encourage the inclusion of a commitment to the eradication of all illegal mining activities in the parties’ manifestos, with a deadline set for the end of March.
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Source: Ghananewsonline.com.gh