The flagbearer of the All People' s Congress (APC), Dr. Hassan Ayariga, has urged the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to use his significant influence to put an end to illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, in the Ashanti Region. Dr. Ayariga expressed that the Asantehene holds more authority and commands greater respect in the Ashanti Region compared to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo- Addo, making him well- positioned to lead efforts to stop the environmental destruction caused by galamsey.
Ayariga' s appeal reflects the deepening concerns over the widespread damage caused by illegal mining activities, which have severely impacted water bodies, farmlands, and cocoa plantations in the region. He stressed that, with Otumfuo' s unique standing and power in the region, his leadership would be crucial in reversing the devastation caused by the illegal mining operations.
Speaking during an interview on Oyerepa TV, on October 9, 2024, Ayariga emphasized that no mining company can operate in the Ashanti Region without the approval of the Asantehene.
He suggested that a simple directive from Otumfuo could bring illegal mining activities to a swift halt.
" There is only one person in Ghana who can stop illegal mining, and that person is the Asantehene, the people of Ashanti respect their King more than they respect the President because their King is for life. If the Asantehene says, stop galamsey, everything will stop, " oyerepaonline. com quoted him to have said.
He continued, " …Nobody, no mining company can mine in the Ashanti Region without the authority of Asantehene. That company dares not.
" So, if Asantehene wants to stop people from mining in Ashanti because they are destroying his water bodies, he should just make one call and tell his boys to stop them and they' ll stop because he' s more powerful to stop them than even the president of Ghana.
" The king and his people must protect their country because their children and grandchildren will suffer the consequences of this menace. If there' s too much destruction of water bodies, farmlands, and cocoa lands, the Asantehene should step in and make that call to stop galamsey. "
