The President Akufo-Addo has retreated the commitment of his government to end the galamsey menace.
He said he is determined to protect the environment for future generations.
The President told the alleged galamseyers at Kyebi that he will allow their activities to continue because it has implications for the future of the country.
The President made the remarks when he spoke at a durbar to mark this year’s Ohum festival at Kibi in the Eastern region.
The festival was under the theme” Taking Charge of Our Environment ” .
He however explained that he is not against mining, but rather against illegal mining due to its negative impacts on the Environment.
The Akyem Abuakwa area, particularly Kyebi, is notorious for illegal mining which has led to the pollution of the Birim river and arable farmlands.
Government is currently waging a war against the menace throughout the country .
Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin on his part called for the protection of the environment from degradation and depletion of natural resources. He stated that Akyem Abuakwa has the potential to become ecotourism destination in Ghana.
According to the Overload of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional council, the ecotourism potential of the Atiwa rainforest and its ability to save the world from debilitating effect of climate change has attracted international attention hence the need to conserve the forest reserve .
“There is no doubt that ecotourism has a great potential in Akyem. The Equatorial rainforest is the cynosure of the Western World and, now, the focus of considerable environmental attention for its real and perceived ability to save the globe from self-destruction .
“Some of you may know of my role in this regard and the fact that I sat on the Advisory Board of the Princes Rainforest Project (PRP) , an initiative by Prince Charles of Great Britain to protect the World’s rainforest ,ie the fraction that is left of it”.
