The founder of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, Dr. Ken Ashigbey, has praised Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his decisive actions in addressing the canker, calling his leadership an example for the entire nation.
Speaking to the media, he highlighted the Asantehene’s recent moves to hold traditional leaders accountable for their involvement in illegal mining activities, commonly known as “galamsey.”
“There is only one leader in this country who is doing what needs to be done — Otumfuo Osei Tutu II,” Dr. Ashigbey said.
“He has shown true leadership by taking action against three of his chiefs who were involved in illegal mining. He didn’t just stop there; he utilised our traditional judicial system, found them guilty, and punished them.”
Dr Ashigbey contrasted the Asantehene’s decisive leadership with what he sees as a lack of action from other leaders, including government officials.
“When you juxtapose what Otumfuo has done with the government’s response, it is clear who is serious about stopping galamsey. The Asantehene has set an example, and if more leaders follow his lead, we can begin to see real change,” he stated.
Dr Ashigbey also expressed frustration over what he described as inadequate government response to illegal mining, referencing instances such as the handling of Akonta Mining.
“The Minister for Lands and Natural
Resources pronounced Akonta Mining as being involved in illegality. But what did we see? The President sat at a Catholic priests conference and said the company was not involved in illegality,” Dr Ashigbey lamented.
