His Royal Majesty, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene, has urged the government to ensure that persons found culpable of illegal mining are made to pay heavy penalties to serve as a deterrent in the fight against galamsey.
He noted that Ghanaians are well aware of the dire consequences of illegal small-scale mining, including environmental degradation, destruction of forest cover and toxic pollution of water bodies.
In a speech read on his behalf by Nana Oguahyia Oduro Panin Birikorang, New Edubiasehene, at the joint 23rd Ashanti Business and Financial Services Excellence Awards and 16th Ashanti Business Leaders Excellence Awards Ceremony organised by Top Brass Ghana, in Kumasi, on Friday, May 8, 2026.
He said Ghanaians are aware of the regulatory framework needed to formulate and implement in order to extinguish the galamsey menace.
The Asantehene noted that while Ghanaians are stakeholders in the anti-galamsey crusade, government must provide bold and impactful leadership, but “Regrettably, however, our governments have woefully failed in this critical duty.
“They have displayed a disappointingly glaring lack of political will and courage to prosecute all illegal mining miscreants, including apparently untouchable associates of governments in power”.
He recommended that to win the fight against galamsey, all perpetrators must face the full rigours of the law and those found guilty must pay a high penalty.
The Asantehene recalled that as part of his strategy to improve the economy of Ashanti, he instituted the Ashanti Business Excellence Awards and the Ashanti Financial Services Excellence Awards in 2004 to honour deserving enterprises and financial institutions.
He later directed the creation of a separate scheme to recognise individual entrepreneurs contributing to the region’s economic development.
He also raised concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and urged government and funding institutions to mobilise resources to help industries adopt renewable energy and improve production efficiency.
On Lake Bosomtwe, Ghana’s only natural lake and a UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve since 2016, the Asantehene expressed worry over the destruction of portions of its core zone.
He commended Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene and pledged his support to reverse the degradation in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Authority and the Bosomtwe District Assembly.
The Asantehene said President John Dramani Mahama’s 24-Hour Economy policy is becoming clearer and should be implemented fully.
He welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the 24-Hour Economy Authority and an Indian renewable energy entity to provide affordable and sustainable power along the Volta Economic Corridor.
He also endorsed calls by the Association of Ghana Industries for measures to promote value addition and protect local manufacturers, urging the local processing of cocoa, cashew, coconut and rubber before export to boost foreign exchange earnings.
The Asantehene lamented the collapse of Ghana’s rail network, but commended President Akufo-Addo for establishing the Ministry of Railway Development and constructing the Tema-Mpakadan line.
Otumfuo urged President Mahama to attach urgency to plans for expanding the rail network.
He also welcomed the Bank of Ghana’s directive for rural banks to transition to community banks and urged them to deliver higher quality services to accelerate rural development.
The Asantehene said, “By being recipients of awards tonight, you rightly count yourselves among the cream of the cream in the business community in Ashanti and elsewhere in Ghana.”
He congratulated the winners and acknowledged the efforts of the selection committee and organisers, Top Brass Ghana.
Chairman of the event, Ing. Prof. Mike Agbeshie Acheampong, said the honourees embodied visionary leadership for creating employment opportunities for the people of Ashanti region.
