Focus on dealing with financiers of galamsey and not laborers – Otumfuo to gov’t

King of Ashanti Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has asked Security personnel dealing with the illegal mining menace and the government to focus on financiers of illegal mining and stop harassing laborers.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II believes that if the focus is turned on financiers rather than laborers, the fight against the menace that has destroyed the country’s water bodies will be successful.

Otumfuo made this known when he was addressing the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs at their first meeting of the year.

He questioned if those who are soaked in dirt have the funds to purchase concessions and buy or rent excavators.

Indicating that the focus should be on the “big men” behind these concessions.

He said the failure of the Chiefs to report the pollution of their water bodies and the destruction of their forest reserves is an indication that they are accomplices in illegal mining taking place in their communities.