The Paramount Chief of Lower Axim Traditional Area, Awulae Attibrukusu III, has warned that any Chief under his jurisdiction found to have masterminded illegal mining (galamsey) activities in his traditional area and arrested, will abdicate his throne automatically.
He decried the wanton destruction of the land and water bodies which served as the main source of livelihoods for the predominantly farmers in the area.
Awulae Attibrukusu III gave the warning to chiefs and queen mothers during the Lower Axim Traditional Council meeting in Axim in the Nzema-East Municipality of the Western Region.
According to him, this was the last warning to any Chief who is neck deep in illegal mining activities in his area to stop galamsey activities.
The Paramount Chief, who is the President of the Lower Axim Traditional Council, mentioned specific towns in his jurisdiction where galamsey activities had become rife.
The towns are, Awukyire, Kegina, Anagye, Nduabesa,Agona and Edelesuazo.
Awulae Attibrukusu III said he had done a lot by reporting Chiefs in those communities to the authorities and would not intervene when they were arrested.
Awulae Attibrukusu III entreated the Traditional Council to rise up and deal ruthlessly with galamsey activities to restore the Council to its former glory.
He questioned the chiefs on how the excavators and Chanfangs passed through their towns before getting to the bushes to undertake galamsey activities.
The Paramount Chief said illegal miners had invaded his rubber plantation in the last few days, destroying a farm he cultivated through his hard earned resources.
He advised his chiefs and queen mothers to “support the government, the able and dynamic Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who is a son of the Nzema area to succeed in the fight against galamsey.