The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has called on the queen mothers of the Asanteman Traditional Council to assist government in the fight against illegal mining in their various traditional areas.
He said the fight against illegal mining is a collective one that requires the efforts and support of important stakeholders like queen mothers.
The Lands and Natural Resources Minister made the call during a meeting with the queen mothers in Kumasi on the sidelines of his one-day tour of the Ashanti Region.
“I believe in the power women wield, particularly women with traditional authority. If you want to conquer the world, let the women lead and you will have the world under your feet. I have been here to court the support of the Otumfuo and the chiefs of the Asanteman, and it will be unacceptable on my part not to court your support because without you we cannot win this fight,” he stated.
Mr Jinapor bemoaned the wanton destruction of lands and natural resources of the country, particularly the river bodies. He said the huge levels of informality in the sector requires that “we employ the services of our traditional authorities, including our queen mothers, in mechanizing the terrain to help government fight the destructive menace.”
He reiterated government’s position on mining activities in general, stressing that “government is not against mining”.
He believes Ghanaians and government, for that matter, love their gold and other minerals and the jewellery the country make out of them, but are against illegal mining.
Assurance
The Lands and Natural Resources Minister assured the queen mothers of government’s support. He added that he will ensure the Minerals Commission provide them with needed resources to engage in the combat against illegal mining. He further gave the assurance to engage them in the Green Ghana Project in the coming year.
The queen mother of the Mampong Traditional Area, Nana Agyakuma Difie, who spoke on behalf of her colleagues, assured the Minister of their support, and urged elderly women in communities caught in illegal mining to join the fight.
She warned that if the natural resources deteriorate it will jeopardise the prospects of current and future generations.
Nana Agyakuma Difie therefore asked the Minister to support the queen mothers with all the resources they may require to respond to their call of fighting against the menace.
The queen mothers were drawn from Bono, Ahafo, Bono East and Adansi communities. They thanked the Lands Minister for the meeting, and pledged to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure the success of the fight against galamsey.
The meeting, among other things, discussed the planting of Rosewood in large quantities in affected areas.
The participants lauded the effort of government to partner queen mothers of the Asanteman Council to pilot the planting of other such economic trees like bamboo under the next Green Ghana Project.
Refurbish zoo
The Lands Minister also visited the Kumasi Zoo where he tasked the Forestry Commission, as a matter of urgency, to refurbish the place with a walkway, summer huts and a facility to serve as staff changing room for workers.
Engaging the staff, he appreciated their efforts in keeping the Zoo running, while encouraging them to keep up the good work.
Mr Jinapor further assured them that their challenges and welfare issues would be taken into active consideration.
The Zoo Manager and Resident Vetinary Doctor at the Zoo, Dr. Meyir Yiyele Ziekah, thanked the Minister for his visit, and hoped that their challenges tabled before him will be addressed.
