By Kofi Owusu
The Paramount Chief of Prang in the Pru West District of the Bono East Region, Nana Kwadwo Nyarko III, has stated emphatically that he will not in anyway release a portion of his lands for the purposes of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
He said galamsey activities were causing more harm than good to the country, for which reason there is a need to take drastic measures to halt galamsey.
Nana Nyarko, who is also the President of the Prang Traditional Council, was speaking to this paper about the various calls for the ban on illegal mining activities in the country.
According to him, the galamsey activities are destroying water bodies and precious lands, which is impacting negatively on the well-being of Ghanaians.
He expressed concern that water bodies were being polluted with chemicals in the galamsey areas, where innocent people are finding it difficult to get clean water to drink.
Nana Nyarko said the galamsey menace had even reached a point where people are selling their cocoa farms to undertake galamsey.
He, therefore, advised his colleague chiefs to desist from secretly releasing their lands to individuals for galamsey activities.
He said as the overlord of Prang lands, he would not in anyway release lands to individuals for galamsey.
Nana Kwadwo Nyarko III
According to him, the Pru River which stretches through his jurisdiction will always be protected as it is the main source of drinking water for his people and those in other traditional areas.
“Even if every household on my land is connected with pipes to enjoy government mechanised water project, I will still not release or allow any individual to mine in the Pru River,” he declared.
Nana Nyarko recounted how he rejected a certain individual who attempted to convince him to mine on his land some years ago.
He explained that, as a chief, he has to leave a legacy of hope, testimony and inspiration so that the next generations could build upon it.
He added that he would not in anyway allow himself to be influenced by money to take a decision that could affect both present and future generations.
“I’m happy with the little that I have, and I don’t want to do anything that could tarnish my hard-won reputation and dignity,” he added.
