‘Comply With Ban On Mining –Otumfuor Osei Tutu tells Small Scale Miners

The Asantehene Otumfuor Osei Tutu (II) has called on Small Scale Miners in the Ashanti Region to comply with government's directive banning all forms of small scale mining for a period of six months.

According him, the ban is in the interest of the entire nation and called on them to support it.

His call comes barely a day when small scale miners in the Ashanti Region issued a three day ultimatum to President Akufo-Addo to lift the ban on small scale mining or face their wrath.

Otumfour who expressed worry over the activities of illegal mining popularly known as galamsey believed licensed small scale miners are also to be blamed for the menace.

“They are also to be blamed because they were aware of the destruction these illegal miners were causing to the environment, but they failed to draw government’s attention to it. So today if government has banned small scale mining you have nothing to do than to adhere to the directive for the good of the entire nation,” he stated.

Otumfuor Osei Tutu (II) made this call when the Lands and Natural Resources Minister John Peter Amewu, his two deputies, government officials and the Australian High Commissioner paid a courtesy call on him.

The Asantehene lauded the Lands Ministry for the action taken to clamp down illegal mining activities in the country.

He said it was a bold step by the ministry, and thus pledged his full support for the action taken.

“We support you because what you are doing is not for yourself but for the nation and generations yet to come,” he said.

The Lands and Natural Resources Minister Peter John Amewu reiterated that the NPP government is not against mining but said government wished that it miners complied with the laid down regulations.

He hinted that the ministry has put a hold on issuing licenses to persons who wants to engage in mining activities.

Story By: Michael Creg Afful

#Latestinghana #Headlinesnews #News #Politics