Galamsey is a worrying trend – Ellembelle DCE
Mr Daniel Eshun, District Chief Executive for Ellembelle, has described unauthorised small scale mining in the area also known as galamsey as the bane to development in the area.
He said the increase in galamsey operations in areas such as Salman, Anwia, Nkroful, Kikam, Teleku-Boakazo and Ankobra is retarding the development of the District.
He said the Assembly is determined to challenge the problem and appealed to traditional authorities and landowners to avoid giving out lands for such illegal activities.
Mr Eshun said this at the launch of Amansuri Estuary, Mangrove and Forest Conservation project at New Bakanta on Thursday.
He said the troubling aspect of the galamsey activities is the environmental degradation and that child labour is closely related to such illegal activities because most pupils abandon the classroom for such activities.
Mr Eshun also expressed worry over the upsurge in HIV and AIDS cases in the District saying the HIV menace is no longer a health issue but a developmental challenge for the area.
He appealed to the people to adopt modest lifestyles in order to be safe and called on all stakeholders to intensify the education on the virus in the area.
He called for unity in the area adding that the struggle for freedom from poverty, disease and hunger is a collective effort that leaves no room for indifferences and political bickering.
The Paramount Chief for Nzema East Traditional Area, Awulae Amihere Kpanyinle III, said conservation is necessary because of the population increase and called for support from all the stakeholders to help in protecting the natural resources of the area.
Source: GNA