Kyebi (E/R), Oct. 8, GNA - Dr. Kwasi Akyem Apea-Kubi, the Eastern Regional Minster, has vowed to clamp down on illegal diamond and gold mining activities, popularly called galamsey, in the Region.

He said his outfit was liaising with the security forces to fight the practice, which seemed to be undermining the good fortunes of the region.

“The menace needs firm action and we are going to put our feet down to ensure that the situation is ameliorated. We cannot sit idle and look at our rich natural resources destroy in a matter of short time,” he said.

Dr. Apea-Kubi made this known at Kyebi when he paid a courtesy call on the Okyehene, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panyin II.

He expressed worry about how galamsey activities were destroying the forest reserves, the land and the water resources in the mining communities, adding that if the situation continued, the next generations would suffer innocently for it.

“Even if it will cause me my feet to end this menace here, I will still do it. Anything can happen. Our future generations need to be bequeathed with development and enjoyment and not destruction and suffering.”

Dr. Apea-Kubi said security personnel would soon be discharged to the Asiakwa galamsey site to mount attacks on the operators whose activities were destroying a water treatment machine built by the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA).

“The development of the Akyem land or the nation should be done with the next generations in mind because what we do today shall be judged by future generations. Let us not allow our parochial interests today to ruin the happiness of our future,” he advised.

Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panyin II lauded the Minister’s intended action and called on all stakeholders and the people of Akyem-Abuakwa to rally behind him to put an end to the menace in the area.

He also called on government to strengthen decentralization in the country since potentials seemed to be missing in the country because of that.

“If we do not decentralize the country, we can never see our own potentials. Our youth have talents, but talents are useless without opportunities”

“That is why I back the idea of electing our Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) so that they can be accountable to the indigenes of the Municipality or the district.”

Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori-Panyin II said when that was done, employment would be available in the districts and people would not even think of engaging in illegal activities to get their daily bread.

He dismissed rumours that he was personally involved in the galamsey activities in the area and also encouraging the youth as well to do it.