Ahmed Ibrahim proposes an amendment to the Chieftaincy Act to enable chiefs to summon galamseyers
Ahmed Ibrahim proposes an amendment to the Chieftaincy Act to enable chiefs to summon galamseyers
The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Ibrahim, has announced ongoing efforts to amend sections of the Chieftaincy Act to grant chiefs the authority to summon individuals engaged in illegal mining activities within their jurisdictions.
According to the Minister, empowering chiefs will strengthen the fight against illegal mining and sanitation issues by enabling them to penalize offenders.
President John Dramani Mahama, during his 2024 election campaign, pledged to amend Section 63(d) of the Chieftaincy Act, 2008 (Act 759), which was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2011 for being inconsistent with the 1992 Constitution.
The section stated that any individual who refused to respond to a chief’s summons committed an offense and could be fined up to 200 penalty units or face a maximum of three months’ imprisonment upon conviction.
Addressing members of the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi, on February 13, Ahmed Ibrahim emphasized that reinstating certain provisions of the Act would aid the fight against illegal mining and poor sanitation practices.
“The amendment of the Act will bring back to Nananom the power to summon persons within their jurisdictions who indulge in harmful practices such as galamsey or illegal mining, which destroy our river bodies and environment. The answer for this action is to empower Nananom who are custodians of the land.”
He added that the government will collaborate with regional and national Houses of Chiefs to resolve chieftaincy disputes across the country.
Additionally, the Minister revealed that the government is considering introducing living allowances for chiefs and queen mothers to support their traditional leadership roles.
President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, urged authorities to intensify efforts to address illegal mining and recent fire outbreaks.
