Members of the Bono Region House of Chiefs have thrown their support to the Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, in his fight against illegal mining popularly known as galamsey.
At their first General Meeting for 2025 held in Sunyani, the President of the House, Osagyefo Oseadeɛyɔ Agyemang Badu II, praised the efforts of the Bono Regional Minister in fighting the menace upon assumption of office.
Osagyefo Oseadeɛyɔ Agyemang Badu II, who is also the Omanhene of Dormaa, in his welcome address, expressed his appreciation about the effort of the Regional Coordinating Council in that regard, noting that river bodies are being polluted with mercury, cyanide and other dangerous chemicals, and urged indigenes of the region to support the minister in his efforts.
“In the Bono region, no chief is doing galamsey, but if it comes to your notice that chiefs are engaging in it don’t shield anyone”, he said and urged the minister to keep fighting the canker.
Bad roads
The Dormaahene also lamented about the deplorable nature of roads in the region saying the situation discourages business activities like cashew transportation from the region to other parts of the country.
He pleaded with the government to fix major roads such as Wenchi-Nsawkaw, Wenchi-Badu, Nsawkaw-Sampa and the Berekum- Sampa Road.
Chieftaincy disputes
Osagyefo Oseadeɛyɔ Agyemang Badu II expressed grave concern about protracted chieftaincy disputes in the region, especially in areas such as Nsoatre, Berekum and Sampa.
He was also worried that chieftaincy dispute has raised its ugly head within the Sunyani Traditional Council, describing it as unfortunate.
He, however, assured the regional minister of the house’s readiness in solving the Sunyani dispute quickly so it does not escalate and become protracted like others.
The Dormaahene further complained to Regional Coordinating Council about the announcement by Asantehene to elevate some chiefs in the Bono Region to Paramountcy saying the Bono Regional House of chiefs rejects the decision saying he was elected as the House’s president to protect what belongs to Nananom so he will never allow Otumfuo to carry out his plan.
He said he would everything within his power as the President of the Bono Region House of Chiefs to prevent the Asantehene from carrying out his decision.
For his part, the Omanhene of Seikwa, Daasebrɛ Okogyeaman Doudu Ampem II, also lamented the menace of galamsey activities over River Tain at Banda, Wenchi, Hani and other areas which has rendered the river undrinkable for communities along it.
Daasebrɛ Okogyeaman Doudo Ampem advised members of the NDC not to get involved in illegal mining activities in order not to make the minister’s work difficult to fight it, saying: “Be careful NDC members, do not take over the galamsey.”
When he took the floor, the Regional Minister, Joseph Adai Akwaboa, reiterated his commitment to the fight against galamsey and asked for their support.
He informed the house about how galamsey activities are affecting food production and destroying water sources in several parts of the region.
Fulani herdsmen
The minister also touched on the negative effects of the activities of Fulani herdsmen and their cattle and said about 2000 cattle are said to be destroying crops and forest areas in som parts of the region and promised to flush the out.
He also gave the assurance that the poor road networks will receive attention by the government and entreated the house to settle all disputes using the judicial committee of the house promising as chairman of the regional security council he would not tolerate any chief using his authority to usurp the power of others.
The minister was later enstooled as the 20th chief of the house with the stool name Nana Kwadwo Akwaboa.
Story by Daniel Y. Dayee, Sunyani
