Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has sounded a clarion call for the reclamation of vegetative covers lost to illegal mining popularly known as galamsey, illegal logging and sand winning across the country.
This, he emphasized, must be given top priority as compensation to the next generation.
“Top priority must be given to the reclamation of our environment from the ravages of galamsey. We cannot be the generation that destroyed the most precious heritage bequeathed to us by our forefathers to satisfy the greed of a few miscreants,” he said on May 12, 2024, while addressing his audience at the climax of his Silver Jubilee.
Additionally, he called for effective and suitable measures to defeat the scourge.
Asantehene’s passion towards the environment and its protection has been evident through several decisions and actions.
The passion drove him to seek a collaboration with the King of the United Kingdom (UK), King Charles to reclaim lost covers in Ghana.
Launching the Green Ghana Day in May 2023, Otumfuo disclosed he had reached an agreement with King Charles to reclaim lands lost to illegal mining in the country.
He said King Charles had agreed to collaborate with him on the project.
During the seventh Awukudae of the year 2023, he disclosed some experts had been sent from the UK to ascertain the level of destruction. He said they had been monitoring some forest reserves with drones.
Additionally, he has given back life to the Mankran Forest Reserve in the Offinso Forest District in the Ashanti Region, filling the 72 hectares-forest reserve which was depleted through activities of chain saw operators.
The Mankran Forest Reserve is one of the nine forest reserves of Offinso which was brought to its knees by illegal chainsaw operators.
Asantehene took the responsibility to restore the reserve after intelligence about its sorry state.
Source: Manhyia Palace
