You Must Be Held Accountable For Galamsey- Otumfuo To EPA

The King of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has challenged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the fight against illegal mining popularly known as galamsey in the country.

He posits that the agency must be solely held accountable for the ravages illegal mining is doing to the water bodies, lands and forest reserves of the country despite their existence.

“If I am informed that lands, forest covers and rivers are under siege, then I have to come to you for answers. You must render accounts for that since you were entrusted with the environment.”

“The agency was established for a course. The environment has been entrusted to your care and it’s a big task. Our lands, rivers, forests and air are under your care and that simply means our lives are in your care.”

He added, “You all hold positions and titles but what are you doing to protect the atmosphere and air we breathe from pollution, the water bodies and the forest from being destroyed? That is what you have been employed to do.”

The monarch thus urged them to put in place the requisite regulatory policies to drive environmental protection.

“It is not your job to take guns to fight galamsey. Even our soldiers couldn’t fight it. But remember our forefathers mined effectively without destroying the environment. This means we can also mine effectively and efficiently. Find ways to protect the environment from these pollutions.”

The King also urged the agency to deal with noise pollution especially at night and during the wee hours which is a nuisance to sleep.

This was during a courtesy call by the management and board members of the EPA on the sidelines of a three-day working visit to the Ashanti Region on Friday, December 15, 2023.

Among the delegation were Dr Henry Kwabena Kokofu, the Executive Director of the EPA and Prof Kwasi Appeaning Addo, the Board Chairman.

The EPA is mandated to protect and enhance the country’s environment as well as seek common solutions to global environmental problems.