Ambainu: Dr. Maxwell Boakye, the Western Regional Member for the Council of State, has called for unity among the citizens of the Western Region to drive forward socio-economic development. He highlighted the region’s rich natural and mineral resources yet noted its lag in development due to divisions and disunity among traditional rulers.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Boakye made these remarks at the Nzemamanle Traditional Council meeting held in Ambainu, Ellembelle District. The event, themed ‘Unity,’ was attended by chiefs, queen mothers, politicians, council of state members, corporate organizations, and the media. Dr. Boakye emphasized the region’s significant contributions to cocoa, timber, and other mineral resources, arguing for a fair share of the national resources. He committed to advocating for the region’s needs at the Flagstaff House, aiming to present their case to the President.
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, assured the Council of the government’s partnership in administering mining activities responsibly. He highlighted efforts to form a new mining regulatory committee at the District Assembly, empowering traditional rulers in the new licensing regime. Mr. Kofi Buah also described the community mining scheme, which would allocate part of large-scale mining concessions to host communities, aiming to curb illegal mining activities.
Additionally, Mr. Kofi Buah, who is also the Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, promised to address issues such as road infrastructure, education, and the preservation of the Nzema language. Paramount Chief Awulae Attibrukusu III urged traditional rulers to unite and combat illegal mining, advocating for harsher penalties for offenders and the revocation of fake licenses.
Awulae Agyevi Kwame of the Nsein Traditional Council called for development in the Western Region, similar to the Ashanti Region’s advancements in gas projects. Meanwhile, Awulae Angama Tu Agyan of the Gwira Traditional Area expressed concerns over unauthorized mining by Okobeng Mines, urging the government to deny them further licenses.
Madam Judith Adjobah Blay, Acting CEO of the Ghana National Gas Company Limited, reiterated the importance of engaging traditional rulers for regional development. She encouraged youth to pursue education in engineering and technical fields, promising employment opportunities in the Nzema area. Madam Blay confirmed upcoming projects, including phase two of the Ghana National Gas Company and an ultra-modern trauma hospital, projecting significant development from 2025 to 2028.