No illegal mining operation will find refuge on Akyem Essase lands — Chief declares

The Chief of Akyem Essase, Baffour K.S. Sikabede, has emphatically declared that no illegal mining operation will be permitted within his traditional region. Protecting the land, forests, and water sources is a duty he owes to both the current and future generations, he emphasized. Sikabede delivered this message during the Fourth Annual Colloquium at the University of Education, Winneba, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

He reaffirmed his pledge made upon assuming his role: "No illegal mining operation will find comfort on the lands of Akyem Essase while I hold this stool." The chief cautioned traditional leaders against compromising their communities' natural resources for monetary gain. He urged them to prioritize their children's future over temporary financial benefits.

Sikabede noted that chiefs are not just symbolic figures but vital custodians of land and the environment, employing customary laws to safeguard natural resources. "Our ancestors understood this connectedness long before any encyclical or Act of Parliament," he pointed out.

He urged the government and relevant agencies to engage with traditional authorities before granting mining concessions on their lands, rather than after environmental damage occurs. "Consult and resource traditional authorities before concessions are granted on stool lands, not after the land has been damaged," he stressed.

Sikabede questioned whether Ghana would recognize traditional authorities as partners in environmental enforcement or continue to overlook them. He argued that while Ghana has ample mining, forestry, and water resource laws, there is a lack of courage to apply these laws fairly across all sectors and regions. "Ghana does not lack legislation on mining, forestry or water resources.

What we lack is the courage to apply those laws evenly to the small-scale miner in a remote district and to the well-connected concession holder in the capital alike," he stated.

He called on the government to demonstrate the political will to enforce environmental laws equitably, regardless of the social status or political connections of those breaching them. Sikabede also encouraged students to actively participate in environmental protection, emphasizing that they will inherit the outcomes of today's decisions. "You will inherit whichever Ghana you choose today. Do not wait for a title or appointment before defending it," he urged.