Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene has questioned why Ghana as a country has failed to stop the menace of illegal small-scale mining (Galamsey).
In an interview on Opemsuo Radio and monitored by energynewsgh, the Ashanti King questioned why the security apparatus in these ‘galamsey’ areas and the task force set up by the government have failed to stop the menace.
He indicated that small-scale mining was something that had been done for several years but never to the detriment of the environment.
“When it comes to galamsey, that is an albatross on our head. It is rather unfortunate that it is happening this way.
“Ghana was known as the Gold Coast and therefore it was menial. But during that time, it wasn’t like the galamsey that we are talking about. Menial ones people were doing hundreds and hundreds of years ago, it was there”.
“But unfortunately, it has gotten to a point where people are now using equipment and all that. They do not care about the environment.
“But the question is who is in control of the security around the area. From the district level to the highest level. We are all talking about galamsey. The government set up this military cum police to stop galamsey. Why have we not been able to stop it? Why?” he asked.