The Paramount Chief of the Talensi Traditional Area and president of the traditional council, Naab Kugbilsong Nalegbegtang has appealed to the Minister of land and Natural Resources to suspend granting of mining and prospecting licenses to individuals or groups in the Talensi Traditional Area to help regulate and protect the environment.
Naab Kugbilsong Nalegbegtang asserts that, the flooding of these licenses in the area jeaodadise the blessings of the natural gift to the people of Talenteng and Ghana as a whole and that the environment is at risk when these individuals or groups violates the mining laws using these licenses as a cover up.
“We wish to appeal to you ( Lands minister) as the sector minister to suspend granting of mining licenses to individuals or groups of people in the Talensi District area. We have noticed a flood of licenses being issued to a number of companies which are unknown to the traditional Council”, Tongraan appealed.
His Royal Highness the Tongraan made this during the courtesy call on him by the minister of lands and natural resources Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah and officers of the ministry as part of the minister’s tour of mining communities for strict compliance and improving on local content.
To maximize the benefits of the gold deposits in the area, the Talensi Traditional Council led by Tongraan is in talks with the large mining companies in the district to rally social support for the area by way of allocating funds to develop the area. The Tongraan briefed the lands minister on the progress of the deliberations and meetings regarding the signing of the Social Responsibility Agreement with the large mining companies.
On community mining initiative the Tongraan said ” We are prepared to release lands outside the large scale mining concessions, for the Community mining scheme to be allocated to the youth who do so with the support of regulated institutions to do safe and responsible mining. This will generate employment opportunities and income for members and the district”.
The ultimate concern and the first concern raised by the Tongraan is the issue of illegal mining which according to the paramount chief, is a menace threatening the environment and livelihoods of Talenteng. That the illegal mining activities poses health risks, economic losses, social conflict among others and the traditional Council is therefore seeking an effective action to eliminate or minimize the canker from the area which is rapidly destroying their farm Lands and water bodies.
The lands and natural resources minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah acknowledged the concerns of the revered paramount chief and discussed that government has already begun with the suspension of any mining licenses and that all the concerns of the traditional Council will be addressed including the Community Responsible mining scheme of which Talensi District is a beneficiary.
On a disturbing note, the Tongraan has reiterated the security situation in the area and urged the lands and Natural Resources minister to add his voice to control and reduce crime in the area which is a result of the mining activities in the area. And that, without a serene and peaceful environment, the full benefits of the gold deposits can never be actualised.
The lands minister and his team proceeded to the large mining companies Cardinal Namdini mining company and Earl international group Gold Ghana limited to engage and inspect their facilities as part of the visit.
The lands minister was very satisfied and happy with the high level of quality operations undertaken by the two large mining companies but urged them ( Cardinal Namdini mining company and Earl international group Gold Ghana limited) to improve on the local content component and ensure local participation in their operations.