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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking on Joy News\u2019 PM Express on Monday, he highlighted the Asantehene’s recent moves to hold traditional leaders accountable for their involvement in illegal mining activities, commonly known as “galamsey.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is only one leader in this country who is doing what needs to be done \u2014 Otumfuo Osei Tutu II,\u201d Dr. Ashigbey said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe has shown true leadership by taking action against three of his chiefs who were involved in illegal mining. He didn\u2019t just stop there; he utilised our traditional judicial system, found them guilty, and punished them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Ashigbey contrasted the Asantehene\u2019s decisive leadership with what he sees as a lack of action from other leaders, including government officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen you juxtapose what Otumfuo has done with the government\u2019s 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,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Minister for Lands and Natural Resources pronounced Akonta Mining as being involved in illegality, and Joy News\u2019 Erastus Asare Donkor provided ample evidence to support this. But what did we see? The President sat at a Catholic priests conference and said the company was not involved in illegality,\u201d Dr Ashigbey lamented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n