The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has strongly condemned the government’s ongoing practice of awarding mining concessions without consulting traditional rulers, calling it a serious threat to responsible land management.
Speaking as President of the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs during a recent meeting with the Minerals Commission, the Asantehene stressed the vital role traditional leaders play in land governance. He argued that decisions made solely from Accra, without input from chiefs, undermine local authority and weaken community oversight.
"It is unacceptable to grant mining concessions from Accra without consulting our traditional leaders. This practice must end if we expect chiefs to effectively oversee and protect their lands,” he declared.
His remarks come at a time when the Minerals Commission is reviewing the Minerals and Mining Act of 2006. As part of this process, the House of Chiefs is preparing a set of formal recommendations for submission.
Traditional authorities have long maintained that their exclusion from decisions regarding mining activities has led to community tensions and limited the potential benefits for local populations.
In response, Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Yusif Sulemana, acknowledged the concerns raised by the Asantehene. He revealed that the government is considering a shift from the existing "community mining" model to a new "cooperative mining" system. This proposed framework would involve chiefs more directly and allow communities to retain a greater share of mining profits.
As policy discussions continue, traditional leaders view this moment as a key opportunity to formalize their role in managing the country’s natural resources. For mining-affected communities, the proposed reforms could bring about fairer, more transparent outcomes.
Source: The Ghana Report
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