Accra: King Kaku Aka III, Paramount Chief of the Awiaso Traditional Area, has issued an urgent call to Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, to intensify efforts in combating the rampant issue of galamsey, which is severely impacting the Nzema area and other parts of the Western Region.
According to Ghana Web, King Kaku Aka III expressed his alarm after witnessing firsthand the destruction caused by illegal mining activities. During a recent trip from Accra to Nzema, he was shocked to see major rivers such as the Pra, Ankobra, Greater Amanzule, and Tano Rivers turning milky due to ongoing illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey. This environmental degradation poses a significant threat to arable lands, river bodies, and forest reserves, endangering both current and future generations.
King Kaku Aka III highlighted existing interventions by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, including the Blue Water Guards initiative and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS). These efforts, aimed at protecting water bodies, lands, and forest reserves, are supported by judicial and regulatory reforms. However, the chief lamented that despite these measures, galamsey activities continue to rise, causing further damage to vital natural resources.
In an interview with the media in Awiaso, located in the Ellembelle District of the Western Region, King Kaku Aka III recalled past criticisms from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) against the former New Patriotic Party (NPP) government for its handling of the galamsey issue. He questioned why Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who holds a dual ministerial role in the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, has not been able to halt illegal mining activities one and a half years into the NDC administration.
The paramount chief emphasized the need for strong political will in the fight against galamsey and urged Armah-Kofi Buah to strengthen efforts to protect the environment and preserve critical resources for future generations.