The Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon. Simon Osei-Mensah has indicated that the Region is putting a coordinated strategy in place to tackle the menace of illegal mining (galamsay) and protect the various river bodies within the Region.
This was revealed when the US ambassador to Ghana, Her Excellency Virginia Palmer paid a courtesy call on the Ashanti Regional Minister on 29 September 2022, as part of the ambassador’s maiden visit to the Ashanti Region after resuming office.
The Ashanti Regional Minister indicated that the fight can be won when it is retargeted with concentration at galamsay activities that go on at upper stream of the various river bodies. He added that there is the need to prosecute and jail perpetrators instead of the imposition of fines. He therefore, called for the support of the US ambassador to Ghana in this respect as the Region works to become a pacesetter in the fight against galamsay.
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Other areas of discussions between the two centered on security, economic, culture and tradition as well as how best the two can strengthen ties that will be mutually beneficial.
The Ashanti Regional Minister indicated that the rich cultural and traditional setup of the Ashanti Region where most land belong to the stool gives the Region comparative advantage in matters of access to land for development. The central location of the Region, according to the Minister, also makes it a vibrant commercial hub.
Commenting on the prospect for economic transformation of the Ashanti Region, Hon. Simon Osei-Mensah indicated that the tripod of projects that are essential in this respect are the Kumasi International Airport, the Boankra Inland port and the need for a railway project that will link the Inland port and the two major port cities in Ghana.
Her Excellency Virginia Palmer expressed her outfits willingness to support the office of the Ashanti Regional Minister, especially in the fight against galamsay within the wider policy framework of protecting the environment.
