Former Deputy Finance Minister and 2024 NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Juaboso, Dr. Alex Ampaabeng, has called on traditional authorities and the youth to unite in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. He warned that the menace is destroying the future of the Juaboso District if urgent steps are not taken.
Speaking on Ehan FM in Juaboso with host Agyemang Opambour, Dr. Ampaabeng stressed that chiefs, as custodians of the land, hold the authority to prevent illegal mining activities. He emphasized that once traditional leaders refuse to permit galamsey on their lands, no one can challenge their decision.
Citing his own hometown of Benchemaa as an example, Dr. Ampaabeng revealed that the chiefs there have stood firm against galamsey, making it the only town in the Juaboso District where illegal mining activities do not take place. He urged other communities to emulate this stance for the sake of protecting the environment and livelihoods.
He further appealed to the youth to support their chiefs in resisting galamsey operations, noting that failure to do so would have dire consequences for the future. According to him, the fight against illegal mining should not be reduced to political rivalry but rather a united effort involving all Ghanaians.
Dr. Ampaabeng concluded by calling on both NPP and NDC supporters, as well as the general public, to join hands in combating galamsey. He cautioned that if the menace is not stopped, it will continue to erode the nation’s resources and compromise the future of generations to come.
credit to Ehan FM
