The Omanhene of Aowin Traditional Area, Beyeeman Tano Kwaw Benbuin III, has made a strong appeal to stakeholders in the Western North Region to unite in the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, and other unlawful activities affecting the region’s environment and resources.
Speaking on the issue, Beyeeman Tano Kwaw Benbuin III emphasized that a fragmented approach to addressing galamsey will yield no results.
He pointed out that if stakeholders in Aowin assume that issues affecting their land do not concern those in Wiawso, Bibiani, Bia, Bekwai, Bodi, Akontombra, and Juaboso, then the region will continue to grapple with illegal activities without finding lasting solutions.
“It is about time Nananom, together with all stakeholders, come together to fight against galamsey and other illegal activities in our region. We cannot continue to discuss these issues without concrete action. The effects of illegal mining extend beyond Aowin and impact the entire Western North Region,” he stated.
The Omanhene stressed that the battle against galamsey and other illegal activities cannot be won unless traditional authorities, through the Regional House of Chiefs, collaborate with relevant stakeholders.
He called on the government, security agencies, environmental organizations, and local communities to work together to protect the region’s natural resources, particularly the forest reserves and water bodies that are under constant threat from illegal operations.
“Until we come together in unity through the Regional House of Chiefs and other stakeholders, we cannot afford to fight this war against galamsey and the destruction of our forest reserves and water bodies,” he reiterated.
Beyeeman Tano Kwaw Benbuin III’s call for unity comes at a time when illegal mining activities continue to cause severe environmental degradation, leading to pollution of water bodies, deforestation, and loss of farmlands in the Western North Region.
