Galamsey: Reclaim your land after mining or lose it forever – Okyenhene warns residents
The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council has announced plans to reclaim all lands affected by mining activities and left with abandoned open pits, returning them to the stool.
Speaking at a durbar of chiefs and the people of the Gyaase division in the Akyem Abuakwa State, the Okyenhene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin, voiced his concern over the health risks posed by illegal mining activities and the numerous open pits left behind.
He stressed that the traditional council would take charge of the reclamation process, ensuring that the lands are restored and permanently returned to the community, emphasizing the importance of protecting both the environment and the health of the people.
“Any landowner who releases his or her land to a miner stands the chance of losing it for life if the miners do not reclaim the land after mining. We shall look for resources and reclaim those lands and hold the interest in those lands and nobody can do anything about it.
“Today some new babies are born with deformities, some without hands, eyes and all forms of deformities due to the toxic nature of the chemicals left in our waters and land.
“People come here to mine, destroy our lands and leave to their hometowns to enjoy and you sit here as landowners and continue to release your lands for illegal miners. It’s unthinkable.”