The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Rural Development has assured traditional leaders of the restoration of powers of summons as one of the means to aid in the fight against illegal mining.
Through the amendment of Section 63 (D) of the Chieftaincy Act, traditional leaders will be empowered to summon persons who perpetrate environmental crime.
Sector Minister, Ahmed Ibrahim, is anticipating the power when restored will be used in helping the local government ministry deal with sanitation issues.
“The amendment of this section will bring back to Nananom [Chiefs] the power to summon persons within their jurisdiction who indulge in harmful practices such as galamsey which destroys our river bodies and environment”, he said.
Article 63(D), which incriminates deliberate refusal to honour calls of chiefs was removed by the Supreme Court for inconsistencies with the constitution.
As a campaign promise, President John Mahama promised to amend the Act to strenghten the chieftaincy institution.
Earlier, the President of the House of Chiefs, Ogyeahohuo Yaw Gyebi II enumerated the dangers posed by illegal mining.
He assured of the chiefs’ willingness to support the government’s efforts to deal with the menace.
“We have been deeply concerned about the menace of galamsey, and we will welcome and cooperate with the government to fight it”, he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Ministry has assured the National House of Chiefs of the government’s preparedness to help in dealing with issues of litigation that have bedevilled the chieftaincy institution.
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