The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has questioned the government of Ghana over why galamsey remains still prevalent to this day.
According to him, he does not understand how the security apparatus in the country have failed to contain the menace.
Otumfuo laid out his grievances in an interview with Opemsuo Radio amidst constant criticism from Ghanaians for failing to control galamsey in his territories.
According to the Ashanti overlord, galamsey, or small-scale mining, has always been around but has been corrupted in recent times.
“When it comes to galamsey, that is an albatross on our head. It is rather unfortunate that it is happening this way. Ghana was known as the Gold Coast and therefore it was menial. But during that time, it wasn’t like the galamsey that we are talking about. Menial ones people were doing hundreds and hundreds of years ago, it was there,” Otumfuo said.
“But unfortunately, it has gotten to a point where people are now using equipment and all that. They do not care about the environment.”
He went on to question why the state security apparatuses have not been able to stop it despite the government setting up a task force.
“But the question is who is in control of the security around the area. From the district level to the highest level. We are all talking about galamsey. The government set up this military cum police to stop galamsey. Why have we not been able to stop it? Why?” he asked.
Despite his questions, questions abound around his inability to stop galamsey operations in lands that are technically under his rule.
Recall that a few months ago, businessman and politician Akwasi Addai, popularly known as Odike, got into a spat with Manhyia chiefs after calling out Otumfuo for failing to stop galamsey.
Source: theGhanaianVoice.Com