By Felix Cofie
The Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has called for an amendment to the Constitution to make chiefs signatories to mining concessions.
He suggested that Traditional Leaders be given shares in Mining Companies that operate within their areas to enable them to also benefit from the natural resources on their land.
According to him, if the Chiefs owned equities in the mineral resources, they would be the first to protect the resources and prevent the menace of illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey’.
The Asantehene made the remarks at the end of year meeting with the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs at Manhyia in kumasi.
He noted that Section 2 of the new Land Act, criminalised ‘landgaurdism’ and gives a sentence of 10 years to anyone who engages in that “forceful conduct”.
The Act, he said, also stipulates the establishment of a Customary Land Secretariat across all traditional areas.
”Foreigners cannot purchase and own land for more than 50 years in the country”.
He tasked Chiefs in his jurisdiction not to engage in multiple sale of land and warned that any Chief found culpable will be destooled.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II also applauded the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor for his exemplary leadership in tackling matters relating to lands and natural resources of the country.
”Since his assumption of office, Mr. Jinapor has discharged his duties and responsibilities with lots of hard work, humility, truth and integrity”.
The occasion was also to enable the Lands and Resources Minister to address the 39 member Regional House of Chiefs on the government’s Policies in the Lands and Natural Resources Sector.
The Sector Minister in a statement, described the New Land Act 2020 as a Composite Law, that encompasses all issues regarding Land Administration in Ghana.
Mr Jinapor announced the setting up of a Committee to look into matters and concerns raised by the Chiefs relating to the entry into Forest Reserves by Miners.
He bemoaned the rate at which 80% of the country’s forest since 1900 has been depleted, and reiterated that the government has currently banned reconnaissance, prospecting and mining in forest reserves and declared it “No go areas”.
Mr. Jinapor pleaded with the Chiefs to draw his attention to anyone or company prospecting in forest reserves, saying “prospecting for over 3 to 10 years is Mining, must be stopped immediately”.
He also expressed gratitude to the Asantehene for the invitation and assured the House that his Ministry will continue to collaborate with Otumfuo and his Council to mitigate the challenges in the Sector, while improving performance at all levels.
The Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, Mr. James Dadson said the Commission is poised to open more district offices to help decentralise their services.
“We will work with you, Nananom, to register all boundaries to prevent overlaps and bring peace,” he concluded.