{
  "id": 17838785,
  "title": "Traditional leaders, MMDCEs culpable in galamsey – President of National House of Chiefs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/traditional-leaders-mmdces-culpable-in-galamsey-president-of-national",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T18:46:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/traditional-leaders-mmdces-culpable-in-galamsey-president-of-national-house-of-chiefs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, has accused some traditional leaders and MMDCEs of contributing to the illegal mining issue through their active participation. He stated that MMDCEs have continued with the illegality that existed under previous administrations. The office of the National Chief of Chiefs has caused the arrest of chiefs involved in galamsey. However, little progress has been made in combating illegal mining, as some miners have become bolder, extending their activities to untouched reserves. The President called for a non-partisan fight against illegal mining, involving local communities, and proper land use assessment before allocation. He emphasized that a grant of customary land should not be seen as permission to mine illegally. The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs organized a conference to discuss illegal mining and how local government can help address the issue. The Minister for Local Government, Mahama Ayariga, acknowledged the role of MMDCEs in the problem and acknowledged the need for both the Ministry and MMDCEs to take a keen interest in combating the illegality. The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources proposed that MMDCEs help identify illegal mining hotspots and take action against perpetrators. The Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology called for coordinated efforts to deal with the problem, while the Ashanti Regional Minister urged for dedicated funding for the fight and prior notice for NAIMOS visits to enable MMDCEs to manage possible security situations.",
  "summary": "The President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, says some traditional leaders and MMDCEs are thwarting efforts to fight illegal mining through their active participation in the menace.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}