GENERAL NEWS

We can’t stop Galamsey – Akyem Wenchi Chief tells Bawumia

The Chief of Akyem Wenchi in the Eastern Region, Daasebre Dr. Asumadu Appiah, has expressed doubts about the ability to eradicate illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, in his area without providing alternative livelihoods.

Speaking during a visit by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Daasebre Dr. Asumadu Appiah emphasized that the lack of employment opportunities in the community makes it nearly impossible to eliminate galamsey, which has been blamed for the destruction of Ghana’s vegetation and water bodies.

“As for the galamsey, it is not something we can stop if you tell us to stop,” citinewsroom.com quoted Oseawuohene to have remarked.

He noted that despite the government’s efforts through initiatives like Operation Halt and Operation Galamstop, illegal mining persists because it is the only source of livelihood for many in the community.

The chief urged the government to provide clear policies and guidelines that would allow for regulated mining practices.

“We don’t have any job opportunities within our community; the only job here is galamsey. So all we are asking is that you give us good policies and guidelines to do it,” he added.

He also said that the community had already taken steps to engage in formal mining practices, mentioning that he had submitted an application for community mining to the district authorities.

Daasebre Dr. Asumadu Appiah also called for greater involvement of traditional leaders in the exploration and management of precious minerals in Ghana, emphasizing their role in ensuring sustainable and responsible mining practices.

In response, Dr. Bawumia pledged to strengthen the licensing regime if elected president, aiming to facilitate legal and sustainable small-scale mining.

“We need a licensing regime to make it easy so that people can acquire the license to work,” Bawumia stated.

He also acknowledged the importance of supporting small-scale mining to benefit both the communities and the nation, the report said.

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. In addition to his media ventures, Solomon serves as a Brand Ambassador for Alabuga, a prominent Russian industrial company, representing their interests and expansion across Africa. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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