The Paramount Chief of the New Juaben Traditional Area Daasebre Kwaku Boateng has bemoaned the wanton destruction of lands in the country through illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, which he noted is gradually destroying Ghana’s water supply.

He asked that the Minister double up efforts to bring an end to the cause of this destruction before it completely cuts off the country’s water supply.

Daasebre assured the Minister of his support and that of his subjects on the 2023 Green Ghana Day while requesting him to frequent the region more often.

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Samuel A. Jinapor, ahead of the 2023 Green Ghana Day, in the company of his Deputy Minister responsible for Lands and Forestry, Mr. Benito Owusu-Bio, and other officials of the Ministry, paid a courtesy call on the Omanhene of the New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng to among others, court his support for 2023, edition of the Green Ghana Day and seek his permission and blessing as he Commission Forestry Commission’s Eastern Regional Office.

In his remarks, the Minister said the issues of climate change have become a nationwide concern and for that reason, Ghana under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo instituted the Green Ghana Project to help contribute its quota to the fight against climate change and also to restore the country’s degraded landscapes and Forest cover.

He, therefore, humbly requested the Chief to lead his people during the 2023 Green Ghana Day, scheduled for June 9, 2023, to plant some 10 million trees which he believes will go a long way to complement government’s aggressive afforestation and reafforestation efforts.

He informed the Paramount Chief that his Ministry under the instructions of the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is working on divesting public lands which he is aware is of utmost importance to the traditional authorities.

The natural resources of the country the Minister stressed, remain the property of the people of Ghana, and Government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, will continue to pursue policies and programmes for the effective and efficient management and utilisation of these resources for the benefit of the Ghanaian people.

Shortly before his visit to the Omanhene’s Palace, the Lands Minister also paid a courtesy call on the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong who accompanied him on his tour of the Region.

The Sector Minister paid both courtesy calls on the sidelines of his one-day tour of the Eastern Region on Wednesday, 24th May 2023, to among others whip up support for 2023 Green Ghana Day, commission the Eastern Regional Office of the Forestry Commission and update himself on issues relating to the Lands and Natural Resources in the region.

Sompaonline.com/Nana Yaw Boamah