According to him, the chiefs owed it a responsibility to protect natural resources such as lands, forest reserves and water bodies under their jurisdictions which are currently being destroyed through activities by both foreign and local illegal miners. Mr Essie made the call when speaking at a day sensitization and capacity building workshop for Traditional Authorities on the battle against illegal mining in the country. 

The workshop, organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, was aimed at empowering traditional authorities to actively join the entire nation’s fight against galamsey. Addressing a cross section of traditional rulers in the area, the deputy minister who doubles as Member of Parliament for Jomoro, described as worrying, the massive devastation done to various forest reserves and water bodies through illegal mining.

He said government will not retreat the war against these illegal miners until lands and water bodies destroyed through their activities return back to normalcy.  He cautioned the chiefs from engaging in galamsey activities, adding that the Akufo-Addo government is bent on winning the fight against illegal mining; hence will not compromise that by shielding any traditional ruler who is caught taking active part or being the power force behind any form of illegal mining in the country.

He assured government’s readiness to empower Chiefs to enable them perform their duties to help accelerate development. On his part, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area, Mr. Drissa Outtara expressed his profound gratitude to the Chief of Dormaa and his elders for their enormous support since he assumed the office. He vowed to work hard to foster development in municipality and its surrounding communities.