Mining companies urged to actively involve chiefs in concession areas

Naa Puowelle Karbo III, Paramount Chief of the Lawra Traditional Area, has expressed dissatisfaction about the failure of some mining companies to actively involved chiefs in areas that fall under their (chiefs) jurisdiction.

According to him, mining companies enter into lands without any proper reference from land owners, saying there was no transparency in the whole community entry process.

Naa Karbo expressed these sentiments when Alhaji Issahaku Salia, Upper West Regional Minister, paid a courtesy call on him at his palace in Lawra.

The visit was to afford the Minister the opportunity to introduce himself to the chiefs and ask for their blessings and support in governing the Region.

Naa Karbo noted that chiefs were not against mining in their communities, but that they (chiefs) should be actively involved in the process to enable them to understand how and what mining companies does in their areas of jurisdiction.

He said mining had a lot of devastating effects on communities and it should only be allowed on the basis that its activities would benefit the people and not to destroy livelihood.

The chief, therefore, urged the Minister to take up the matter and discuss it with the interested mining companies to address their concerns.

Naa Karbo said since his ascension to the throne, he had made significant effort to restructure the Traditional Council to enable it to function effectively.

In that regard, he added that all vacant positions in the Traditional Area had been filled.

Naa Karbo said a lot of efforts had also been made to involve women in the decision making process, which he said, had helped a lot to bring to the fore critical issues affecting women in the district.

Source: GNA