Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has proffered the Community Mining Programme (CMP) as the finest solution to the prevalence of illegal mining at Patriensa in the Asante Akim Central municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The scheme was instituted by the government in 2019 as a means of formalizing illegal small scale mining, popularly known as galamsey in selected communities for sustainable and responsible mining.
Otumfuo gave the CMP as a proper solution to illegal mining in Patriensa when the new chief of the area, Nana Amoapim Asare Baffour II stood before him to swear the oath of allegiance on April 8, 2024, at the Manhyia Palace.
He charged the successor to Nana Prof. Osei Darkwa III to engage government officials to offer the training that comes with the CMP and offer licences to the trainees for mining.
In this way, His Majesty indicated, the natural resources of the town which has been at the mercy of the illegal miners would be protected for the next generations.
“Liaise with the relevant authorities to give the youth sustainable mining training and licences to mine the minerals in the town.”
Testifying about Nana Prof. Osei Darkwa III, Otumfuo said the bar had been raised with expectations high for his successor to reach the mark and continue the good works he started.
“Your predecessor was blameless. Only that he never had enough time to make it to our meetings and because of that he got confused about where he had to sit whenever he came. He was so down to earth and I would advise that you imitate that trait. He pleased me with his leadership. He had education at heart and undertook a lot of educational projects in Patriensa. His passing was so sudden”
He added, “Today, we hand over the town into your hands to continue his work.”
Otumfuo Akyeamhene Nana Nsuase Poku who also offered advice to the new chief described the Kumasi Traditional Council meetings as a learning ground for all traditional rulers and urged him to make it a point to attend at all times.
Source: Manhyia Palace
