The Eastern regional Minister Eric Kwakye Darfour has expressed fear the Palace of the Okyenhene will soon be invaded by illegal miners, if nothing is done about their activities at Kyebi.
According to the regional Minister, the damaged inflicted on the Birim River by the illegal miners has led to the total shut down of the water treatment plant at Kyebi.
The visibly worried minister told a gathering at the official opening of Highways Shell fuel filling station at Koforidua-Abrewankwanta in the Eastern region Friday that he once told the Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin about the potential threat to his residence by the miners.
The Minister said despite the environmental degradation by the illegal miners in area, two chiefs in nearby communities, Apapam and Adadietem, have been able to protect their lands from illegal mining, which shows that chiefs who are the custodians of the land can help conserve the land.
He explained the fight against galamsey does not mean the government is against mining. He said government wants mining to be done in environmentally acceptable way.
He urged chiefs to support the government drive to eliminate galamsey.
The Chief of Aburi , Otobuor Gyan Kwasi, who was Chairman of the program, advised Chiefs and politicians who are involved in galamsey activities to desist in order to preserve and conserve the environment for the future generation
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