The President of the National House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of the Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area, Osenkesie Akankafo Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, has assured the government that if traditional leaders are given the mandate to spearhead the fight against illegal mining (galamsey), the menace can be eradicated within a few months.
Speaking at the grand durbar to wrap-up the 2025 Eluo Festival in Bibiani, Ogyeahoho stressed that although current laws and regulations governing land and natural resources largely exclude traditional authorities (Nananom), chiefs are often blamed when water bodies and forests are destroyed by illegal mining activities.
He therefore called on Parliament to amend the existing regulatory framework to formally include traditional leaders in the governance of mineral resources, saying this would fast-track the elimination of galamsey.
During the same event, Ogyeahoho launched the Ogyeahoho Education Foundation with an initial seed capital of five hundred thousand Ghana cedis (GH¢500,000) to support brilliant but needy students in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality.
He also donated two hundred thousand Ghana cedis (GH¢200,000) towards the construction of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre – another personal initiative aimed at promoting quality education in the area.
Nana concluded by advocating for unity and peace among the people of Anhwiasoman, emphasizing that these are essential for sustainable development.
AKUAPEM-HANN KWAME OMONO ASAMOAH – Bibiani
