Mr. Kenneth Ashigbey, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT), has urged chiefs to strengthen their position as the first line of defense against the threat that illegal mining poses to water bodies.

According to him, the continuous involvement of chiefs aiding illegal miners in their various traditional areas has become a source of worry for the traditional council which needs urgent and punitive sanctions to preserve the environment and water bodies for the next generation.

“We cannot discount the role of chiefs in their various communities in stopping illegal mining activities, and so they must rise to the call and support the government’s effort,” told Kwaku Owusu Adjei(Patoo) on Adwenekasa on Accra-based Original FM 91.9.

Chiefs are responsible for maintaining traditions and protecting the environment, according to Mr. Kenneth Ashigbey, but it “seems unusual that outsiders have entered our lands and water bodies, most of which are sacred areas, with such impunity.

“We believe that chiefs should play a significant part in combating this threat.”

He said the chiefs needed logistical and security support to stamp out their authority in illegal mining matters.

He expressed grave concern at the rate forest reserves and waterbodies were being destroyed with impunity by illegal miners and their related activities due to decline in the country’s moral and cultural values.

He, therefore, urged citizens to eschew all forms of detrimental activities, which were slowly plunging the State into crisis and embrace cultural and moral values that engendered growth.

Source: Richard Obeng Bediako ll Myoriginalonline.com ll Ghana