Offinsohene Stands Firm Against Galamsey: “Unless You Behead Me”

The Paramount Chief of Offinso, Nana Dwamena Akenten II, has reiterated his unwavering stance against galamsey in his territory, echoing the sentiments of his predecessor, the late Nana Wiafe Akenten.

Despite receiving more than 30 galamsey applications since his installation less than a year ago, Nana Dwamena Akenten II has dismissed them all, prioritizing the preservation of Offinso’s natural resources.

Nana Dwamena Akenten II’s opposition to galamsey stems from his commitment to protecting the land and water bodies in Offinso.

As a former best municipal farmer, he believes that farming should be the focus of his people, rather than destroying the environment through illegal mining.

This stance has earned him praise from social media users and other stakeholders who see the devastating effects of galamsey in other parts of the country.

Galamsey has been linked to the destruction of 44% of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves, pollution of major rivers like the Pra and Ankobra, and health risks such as kidney failure and birth defects.

The Offinsohene’s leadership is seen as a beacon of hope in the fight against illegal mining, particularly given the significance of the Offin River, which feeds the Barekese Dam, supplying water to much of Kumasi city.

Nana Dwamena Akenten II’s bold statement, “Unless you behead me, there will never be galamsey on my land,” underscores his determination to protect Offinso’s natural resources.

His stance is in line with calls from other chiefs and stakeholders for collective action against galamsey. As the fight against illegal mining continues, the Offinsohene’s leadership serves as an example of effective governance and environmental stewardship.

Source: Ransford Osei Nyarko