The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has pledged his support to the minister for Lands and Natural Resources for his effort in fighting the debilitating illegal mining in the country.
According to him, John Peter Amewu had shown both the conviction and passion needed to stop the illegal activity popularly called Galamsey.
The King also praised the government for showing the political will to stem the worrying activity against the environment.
Welcoming the minister to the famous Manhyia Palace, the overlord of Asanteman assured the minister and the government of his unflinching support to halt illegal mining.
CHARGE:
Otumfuo charged the minister to strengthen the arms of the relevant institutions that have been tasked to monitor and check illegal mining in the country.
This, he stressed would ensure a lasting solution to the growing menace.
He, however, bemoaned the apathetic attitude of the minerals commission in regulating the activities of small and large scale miners.
The commission, Otumfuo noted had not done enough to stem the illegal activities in the mining sector, adding galamsey operators had since had a fields day in destroying the environment.
MINISTER:
The Minister, Peter Amewu thanked Otumfuo for his support to the government in its quest to halt illegal mining.
According to him, government cannot find the menace alone and needed influential leaders like the Asantehene to enable it fight off the illegal activities in the mining industry.
He stressed the commitment of the government to sustain the efforts in halting illegal mining.
The devastation linked to galamsey activities, the minister noted had far reaching consequences on the country and pledged his determination to put a stop to the scourge.
