The then National House of Chiefs President, Togbe Afede XIV in June 2018 urged the government to not lift the ban on illegal mining in the country.

In his view, the ban should be on until strategic measures have been put in place to curb this growing menace which is affecting water bodies and the environment at large.

“The National House of Chiefs advice on the maintenance of the ban on illegal mining until such a time that solutions are found to the harmful effects of this activity and also until such time that enough has been put in place in terms of monitoring and feedback that will ensure that the dangers of illegal mining are minimised," Togbe Afede XIV said.

He made this call at a sensitisation workshop for traditional authorities on illegal mining in Accra.

Read the full story originally published on June 18, 2018 by ClassFM.

President of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV
The National House of Chiefs have called on government to maintain the ban on illegal mining.

President of the National House of Chiefs, Togbe Afede XIV made the call at a sensitisation workshop for traditional authorities on illegal mining in Accra on Monday, 18 June 2018.

The traditional leader noted that the harmful effect of galamsey requires that the ban is maintained until lasting remedy is put into force.

The Agbogbomefia of Asogli State further stressed that the process of licensing miners should be reviewed.

He said: “The National House of Chiefs advice on the maintenance of the ban on illegal mining until such a time that solutions are found to the harmful effects of this activity and also until such time that enough has been put in place in terms of monitoring and feedback that will ensure that the dangers of illegal mining are minimised.

“Among others again is a suggestion that the state should include security agencies in the fight against illegal mining.

“Also, important is the suggestion that the processes for licensing of mining activities should be reviewed such that only those who are qualified and have the capacity to observe the duties involved are allowed to mine.”

Government has placed a ban on small scale mining to protect the country’s water bodies and land from exhaustion.