The Chief of Akyem Wenchi and Oseawuohene, Daasebre Dr. Asumadu Appiah, has said despite ongoing efforts to curb the practice of illegal mining popularly called ‘galamsey,’ the youth of his community and surrounding areas are not likely to stop.

According to the chief, the practice remains the sole source of employment for the youth hence, despite efforts to eliminate the practice, the youth in Wenchi and surrounding areas are unlikely to abandon galamsey.

During a visit by New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Daasebre Asumadu Appiah called for a more practical approach to address the issue.

He argued that without providing alternative livelihoods, attempts to eradicate galamsey would be futile.

Instead, he proposed the introduction of a regulated community mining scheme that would allow the state to benefit financially while also preserving the environment.

“We don’t have any job opportunities within our community; the only job here is galamsey,” Daasebre Asumadu Appiah stated.

He continued that: “As for the galamsey, it is not something we can stop if you tell us to stop. So all we are asking is that you give us good policies and guidelines to do it.”

The chief further emphasised the need to involve traditional leaders in managing natural resources, criticising the current practice where the central government, from Accra, grants mining leases and permits without consulting local chiefs.

He called for a change in this approach, asserting that traditional authorities, as custodians of the land, should have a significant role in overseeing mining activities.

In response, Dr. Bawumia reiterated the importance of environmental protection and highlighted his administration’s commitment to promoting community mining schemes.

He assured that traditional authorities would play active roles in the management and allocation of mining concessions.

“I think we haven’t gotten it right. For me, I think we should help small-scale mining, and if we can do it well, galamsey will also do well. We need a licensing regime to make it easy so that people can acquire the license to work,” Dr. Bawumia stated.