The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has stated that traditional leaders should bear some of the blame for illegal miners’ activities in areas over which they preside.
The traditional leader stated that the chiefs cannot pretend to be unaware of the miners’ activities and their effects on water bodies and farms under their jurisdiction.
He claimed that, while chiefs do not have the authority to grant mining companies leases, they are aware of illegal miners’ activities.
He was perplexed as to why the chiefs would deny knowledge of illegal mining activities while watching illegal miners destroy our water bodies.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II advised members of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs at their first meeting of the year on Friday (October 14, 2022) to report cases of illegal mining to the police or the Manhyia Palace.
According to him, chiefs who have refused to take action against illegal mining may benefit from the illegal activities.
He warned that if traditional leaders do not stand up, prosperity will not forgive them.
