The Ga Mantse has called for lands destroyed by illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, to be reclaimed and converted into facilities that will benefit communities and the youth.
The call was made when the Chief Executive Officer of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, paid a courtesy call on the traditional ruler to brief him on the operations and activities of the institution.
During the engagement, Mr. Gyamfi took the Ga Mantse through the mandate of GoldBod and explained how the institution operates within the gold sector and generates revenue from gold-related activities.
He also highlighted measures being pursued to strengthen regulation and ensure that the country gains maximum value from its mineral resources.
The Ga Mantse commended Mr. Gyamfi and the management of GoldBod for their efforts in the sector and encouraged the institution to remain committed to promoting responsible and sustainable mining practices.
Touching on the issue of illegal mining, the Ga Mantse urged GoldBod and relevant authorities to ensure that lands occupied and destroyed by galamsey operators are taken over and properly restored.
According to him, reclaimed lands should not be left idle after restoration but must be transformed into productive spaces such as football fields, astroturfs, parks, and other recreational grounds that can positively impact communities, especially the youth.
He stressed that repurposing degraded lands for community development projects would help address environmental damage caused by illegal mining while creating safe spaces for sports and other beneficial social activities.
The meeting also underscored the importance of collaboration between traditional authorities and state institutions in addressing the growing threat of illegal mining and protecting the country’s natural resources for future generations.
