The President of the Eastern Region House of Chiefs, Nene Sakite II, has reiterated the call on the government to actively involve traditional rulers in the fight against illegal mining, commonly called galamsey.
That, he said, would strengthen the hand of the state in the fight against the canker which had polluted water bodies and damaged the environment.
Nene Sakite, who is also the Paramount Chief (Konor) of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area, made the call at a general meeting of the Eastern Regional House of Chiefs in Koforidua last Friday.
The meeting was to enable the chiefs to take stock of last year’s activities and plan for the current year, including deliberating on critical issues.
Nene Sakite said that since traditional rulers had complemented successive administrations—from the pre-independence era through the post-independence period—on various issues, they could once again assist in the fight against galamsey.
Government’s efforts
“It remains my firm belief that our traditional rulers have complemented governments from the pre-independence era and through post-independence, and can still help in the fight against galamsey.
“I, therefore, call on the central government to involve the oldest governance institution for the benefit of our people”, Nene Sakite said.
He said chiefs could also play a significant role in addressing drug and substance abuse, including the use of tramadol and “Red,” which have harmed the youth.
Nene Sakite further raised concerns about cybercrime and emerging cases of kidnapping, and appealed to traditional councils and local assemblies to remain vigilant, particularly concerning marijuana cultivation, trafficking, and drug abuse among young people.
Overview
With regards to the activities of the house in the region, Nene Sakite said the judicial committee had resolved five out of seven chieftaincy disputes, with injunctions stalling the remaining two cases.
He, however, emphasised that work on the office of the Regional House of Chiefs had stalled because of the lack of funds.
He assured the chiefs that he would follow up on an appeal to the same state bodies, as well as the government and other sponsors, to complete the project.
Apart from that, Nene Sakite indicated, the chiefs would consider other fundraising strategies to speed up the process of the project.
Government efforts
The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, assured the chiefs that the government would not relent on its policies and programmes to develop the region and that under the Big Push Agenda, roads were witnessing renewed momentum in the region.
She said roads critical to inter-district and inter-regional connectivity were being upgraded to facilitate the transportation of foodstuffs from farm gates to market centres.
Mrs Awatey cited the 124-kilometre Kwamekpong–Nkwanta–Mossipanin road in the Kwaku Afram Plains as one such project aimed at boosting agricultural production.
On health, Mrs Awatey said the government would complete legacy projects, including the long-awaited Eastern Regional Hospital in Koforidua.
With regard to education, the regional minister said over 77 GETFund projects were being constructed.
Mrs Awatey assured the chiefs that her outfit would continue to collaborate with the chiefs in the fight against illegal mining.
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