The President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, has appealed to government to urgently involve traditional authorities in efforts to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, warning that the menace poses a growing national security threat.
He cautioned that experiences from some neighbouring African countries and parts of South America show that unchecked illegal mining can evolve into organised and armed criminal networks, a situation Ghana must avert.
Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II made the call while addressing a general meeting of the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi.
He noted that some illegal mining operators were increasingly resisting law enforcement agencies, stressing that the involvement of chiefs, as custodians of the land, was critical to protecting water bodies, public health and the environment.
The President of the House also called for an urgent review of mining and timber royalties paid to traditional authorities, describing the current arrangements as inadequate.
He proposed that one per cent of the gross revenue generated by mining companies operating within traditional areas should be retained to support local development initiatives.
Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II expressed concern about the poor state of infrastructure in many mining communities, describing it as unacceptable for resource-rich areas to remain underdeveloped despite the substantial revenues generated from their lands.
He urged government to act swiftly to ensure that mining communities benefit meaningfully from the exploitation of their natural resources.
Meanwhile, ahead of the Christmas festivities, the President of the National House of Chiefs has advised motorists to strictly observe road traffic regulations, particularly by avoiding over-speeding, to help reduce road crashes during and after the festive season.
