{
  "id": 90539,
  "title": "Chiefs, queens who engage in or aid galamsey will be prosecuted – Bono Minister warns",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/chiefs-queens-who-engage-in-or-aid-galamsey-will-be-prosecuted-bono",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-03T15:24:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/chiefs-queens-who-engage-in-or-aid-galamsey-will-be-prosecuted-bono-minister-warns/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, has issued a stern warning to traditional leaders against participating in or supporting illegal mining, also known as galamsey, within their communities. He emphasized that the government, through the Blue Water Guards, requires their cooperation to combat illegal mining and logging activities, thereby protecting forest resources and water bodies. Akwaboa delivered this message while on a regional \"Accountability to the people\" tour in the Wenchi municipality. During a durbar of chiefs and people of Wenchi, he sternly stated that any chief or queen who aided or supported illegal mining operations would face prosecution. He further stated that the Blue Water Guards had started full operations in the region and appealed to the public to report any suspected illegal mining activities in their areas to the relevant security agencies. As part of his tour, Akwaboa inspected various projects in Wenchi, including the construction of a new clinic, six-unit classroom blocks, water supply projects, a Community-based Health Planning Service Compound, and the 24-hour market project.",
  "summary": "The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, has cautioned traditional authorities against engaging in or aiding illegal mining in their respective communities.",
  "key_points": [
    "Bono Minister Joseph Addae Akwaboa warns chiefs against galamsey involvement.",
    "Government cooperates with Blue Water Guards to combat illegal mining.",
    "Chiefs face prosecution for aiding illegal mining operations."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The minister's ultimatum signals a tougher stance on galamsey, putting traditional leaders on notice that they will be held accountable for their role in enforcing the law in their communities.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Chiefs, queens who engage in or aid galamsey will be prosecuted – Bono Minister warns",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/04/chiefs-queens-who-engage-in-or-aid-galamsey-will-be-prosecuted-bono",
        "published": "2026-08-04T04:22:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}