Kumasi: Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, paid a courtesy call on Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to brief him on the government's planned mining and forest sub-sector reforms. The visit aimed to seek Otumfuo's support and guidance towards achieving the policies and programmes outlined by the Ministry.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Lands Minister praised Asantehene for his leadership, particularly in ensuring litigation-free land-related matters in the Ashanti Region. Mr. Buah acknowledged Asantehene's interventions over the years and expressed concern over the impact of illegal mining, highlighting that 44 of the nation's 288 forest reserves had been affected, with increased turbidity levels in major water bodies.
The Minister outlined several initiatives by the government, including establishing an 18-member committee to review the licensing regime, re-classify mining categories, and overhaul Community Mining Schemes. He expressed gratitude for Otumfuo's advice and support for the government's reset agenda.
Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II commended the Minister for the visit and expressed confidence in his ability to fulfill his mandate. He urged officials under the ministry to support the Minister and advised Mr. Buah to tackle the root cause of illegal mining by providing sustainable livelihoods for the youth in mining areas. Otumfuo also recommended targeting major players in the galamsey business and prosecuting them.
Otumfuo advised developing an alternative livelihood programme and addressed the issue of public lands, urging the Minister to halt the indiscriminate sale of public lands to politically exposed persons. He also praised the Minister's afforestation efforts and pledged support for the 'Tree of Life' initiative.