Why galamsey must be banned – Prestea Chief explains

PARAMOUNT Chief of Prestea-Himan Traditional Area in the Prestea-Huni Valley District of the Western Region, Nana Ntaboah Prah IV, has revealed that all streams and rivers in Prestea gold prone mining areas are polluted by operations of gold mining companies and ‘galamsey’ operators.

“We rising up to flush out illegal gold miners in Prestea and its adjoining communities because aside from polluting our water bodies, there are rising incidents of excessive drugs used [India Hemp],teenage pregnancies and snatching of people’s wives and girlfriends which we think that these practices are threatening our traditional norms in Prestea,” Nana Ntaboah Prah IV disclosed.

Nana Ntaboah Prah IV made this known in an interview with Today yesterday via phone to offer his full support to the central government in the fight against illegal gold small-scale mining activities in the country.

Expressing his commitment towards government’s campaign against illegal mining in the country, the chief noted that illegal gold mining had ravaged the vegetation and polluted water bodies in his area.

Nana Ntaboah Prah IV stated that his traditional area had already taken the initiative by destroying some dredgers being used for illegal gold mining in River Ankobra.

According to him, it was embarrassing seeing River Ankobra, which serves as the only source of drinking water for the inhabitants in Prestea-Himan Traditional Area being turned into a chocolate-like colour.

The chief said the water bodies and the land must be preserved in good condition for future generation.

The chief described the recent threats by some inhabitants of Tarkwa-Breman to vote him out in the next election, if the government goes ahead to enforce the ban on all forms of illegal mining as ‘unacceptable.’

Nana Ntaboah Prah IV assured the embattled MP of his traditional area’s commitment to support her to succeed in her fight against illegal gold mining, which was adversely polluting water bodies and fertile farm lands.

According to Nana Prah IV, he believes the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government’s resolve to sanitise the gold mining space was commendable and worthy of support.

“It is my opinion that the exploitation of natural resource should not become a death sentence to forests, water bodies and the life they support.

Furthermore, coming from a country that for many decades suffered existential threats due to water shortage, I hope that Ghana does not find herself facing a water crisis in the future,” he warned.

The paramount chief of Prestea-Himan stated his unalloyed support to the campaign against illegal gold mining and the fight to protect Ghana’s forests and water bodies.

According to him, the chiefs and elders of his area were fully behind government in the fight against galamsey.

He commended the media for coming together and joining forces with various institutions in championing the fight against galamsey.

“I believe that with the political will and support from all and sundry, Ghana will overcome the galamsey menace. Let us all say no to galamsey,” he urged.