'Chiefs must protect lands from galamsey for generations unborn' — National House of Chiefs President urges

The President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, has urged traditional leaders to take active steps to safeguard lands under their jurisdiction against illegal mining activities.

He said chiefs had a responsibility to preserve the lands entrusted to them for the benefit of future generations, rather than allow them to be destroyed for immediate economic gains.

According to him, land should not be regarded merely as an economic resource to be exploited but as an inheritance passed down by ancestors and one that must be protected for posterity.

He stressed that environmental protection was an important part of the traditional authorities' responsibilities and should be taken seriously.

Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II made the remarks at a National Conference for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives on illegal small-scale mining, held in Kumasi on Monday, November 2, 2026.

The conference brought together stakeholders to deliberate on strategies to address the persistent illegal mining menace in Ghana.

Speaking at the event, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, described illegal mining as a major national challenge requiring a collective response.

He called on stakeholders across the country to work together, noting that the harmful effects of illegal mining were felt by communities regardless of their geographical location.

Dr Amoakohene emphasised that efforts to tackle the menace should not be left to the national government alone but must involve coordinated action by all relevant stakeholders.

He described the conference as timely, saying it provided an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas and develop practical solutions to the illegal mining problem.