The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has called for greater authority to be given to traditional leaders, arguing that it would help curb illegal mining (galamsey) and drive local development.
Speaking on State of Affairs with Joshua Kodjo Mensah, the minister said that chiefs are currently powerless to act against illegal miners operating in their jurisdictions.
According to Ibrahim, illegal miners often bypass traditional rulers by obtaining permits directly from government agencies, leaving chiefs unable to intervene even when mining activities threaten their communities.
“Can you imagine if chiefs were given the power to summon people mining illegally in their jurisdictions?” he asked. “Right now, a miner gets a letter from the minister of lands, enters the chief’s area, and starts digging. The chief calls him, and he refuses to come. What can the chief do?”
The minister suggested that returning power to chiefs would ensure they take a more active role in governance and development. He argued that traditional leaders, as custodians of the land, have a vested interest in protecting natural resources and should be given legal authority to hold illegal miners accountable.
Beyond the issue of illegal mining, Ibrahim stressed that disempowering chiefs has contributed to a decline in communal development. He recalled a time when chiefs led communal labor efforts, imposed voluntary levies, and spearheaded local projects. However, he noted that the current system, which places significant power in the hands of appointed District Chief Executives (DCEs), has weakened community engagement.
“The chiefs are the true custodians of the land. Give them back their power, and you will see true and expeditious development,” he said.
The minister also acknowledged the increasing chieftaincy disputes across the country, which he described as a national security concern. To address this, he announced plans to establish a special committee to handle such conflicts.
“We are going to set up a committee beyond empowering the judicial committees to handle these cases. It must be non-partisan because chieftaincy issues should not be politicized,” he explained.
He further proposed that succession plans should be codified to prevent disputes, arguing that the lack of clear inheritance structures often leads to power struggles fueled by wealthy individuals seeking influence.
“We must enforce established lines of succession so that when a chief passes, there is a clear and legally recognized process to determine the next chief,” he said.
Addressing concerns about potential abuse of power, the minister acknowledged the need for balance between traditional authority and democratic freedoms. He warned against excessive liberty, arguing that restrictions are necessary for effective governance.
“Democracy gives us rights, but excessive liberty can be a problem. Your rights end where another person’s begins,” he stated.
