Mamponghene vows crackdown on galamsey, urges sustainable development in Mampong Akrofonso

The Paramount Chief of Asante Mampong, Daasebre Osei Bonsu III, has issued a strong warning against illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) and unregulated sand extraction in Mampong Akrofonso, emphasising that community lands and water bodies must be preserved for long-term sustainable development rather than exploited for short-term gains.

During a ceremonial three-day visit to the ancestral town over the weekend to perform traditional rites—a customary obligation for every newly confirmed Omanhene—the chief outlined a vision centred on protecting the environment while creating legitimate economic opportunities for residents, particularly young people.

Environmental protection as development priority

Daasebre Osei Bonsu III stressed that environmental stewardship must form the foundation of Mampong Akrofonso's development agenda. He called for immediate action to safeguard water bodies from pollution and to prevent destructive land degradation that threatens both public health and agricultural productivity. The chief's remarks underscore growing concerns across Ghana about the environmental damage caused by unregulated mining and sand extraction, which contaminate water supplies and destroy arable land.

Rather than permitting extractive activities that offer temporary employment at significant environmental cost, the Mamponghene directed the Mampong Akrofonsohene, Nana Baffour Gyimah Ankoana, to identify suitable land parcels for establishing handicraft enterprises and small manufacturing ventures. These investments, he argued, would provide sustainable livelihoods while preserving the natural resource base communities depend on.

Economic development through legitimate investment

The Mampong Akrofonsohene responded positively, noting that Mampong Akrofonso possesses available land suitable for credible investors interested in establishing schools, hospitals, police stations and factories. Such infrastructure, he contended, would expand economic opportunities, generate formal employment and drive broader community development—outcomes far superior to the temporary income and lasting environmental damage associated with galamsey operations.

Both traditional leaders emphasised that Mampong Akrofonso's youth represent a significant asset if provided with proper guidance, training and economic opportunities. The chief pledged his commitment to advancing resident welfare and ensuring the community participates in wider development initiatives across Asante Mampong.

Why this matters for Ghana

This intervention by Asante Mampong's leadership reflects a broader challenge facing Ghana's mining regions. Illegal small-scale mining has devastated water quality in many communities, contaminating drinking water supplies and affecting agriculture—sectors critical to rural livelihoods. The Mamponghene's stance aligns with calls from environmental advocates, civil society organisations and government agencies for chiefs and community leaders to resist galamsey operations and redirect land use toward sustainable alternatives.

Ghana's mineral wealth has historically enriched the nation, but unregulated extraction—particularly in water-rich areas—often impoverishes local communities by degrading the natural resources they depend on daily. By prioritising environmental protection and legitimate enterprise development, Mampong Akrofonso's leadership offers a model for balancing economic aspiration with environmental stewardship. This approach resonates with Ghana's constitutional commitment to environmental sustainability and the government's stated objective to eliminate illegal mining.

The chief's visit and pronouncements also demonstrate the enduring role of traditional authority in shaping community development priorities—a reality that policymakers and development partners must engage with when implementing environmental and economic programmes in rural areas.