The Queenmother of Nkaseim in the Asutifi South District of the Ahafo Region, Nana Ama Asieduaa, has called on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to prioritise the health and safety of residents as it rolls out the government’s Responsible Cooperative Mining Programme.
Her appeal came after a delegation from the Ministry visited the traditional authorities in Nkaseim to inform them of plans to launch the initiative in the community.
Speaking to Adom News, Nana Ama Asieduaa welcomed the programme, noting that it has the potential to create jobs and improve the livelihoods of residents. However, she stressed that the health of community members must not be compromised in the pursuit of economic benefits.
She expressed concern over the environmental and health effects of illegal and poorly regulated mining activities, citing reports that link exposure to hazardous mining chemicals with birth defects and other health complications.
According to her, chemicals used in mining, when not properly managed, pose serious risks to surrounding communities, making it imperative for the Ministry to enforce strict environmental and safety standards under the new programme.
The queenmother urged authorities to ensure that responsible mining practices are fully implemented to prevent pollution of water bodies, land degradation and other environmental hazards that could negatively affect residents.
She maintained that while the Responsible Cooperative Mining Programme could help reduce unemployment and boost economic activity in Nkaseim, public health and environmental protection must remain the government’s foremost priority.
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