Choicenewsonline Your Choice Is Here
The newly enstooled Paramount Chief of the Sabronum Traditional Area in the Ahafo Ano South East District, Daasebre Kofi Asante Mensah, has called for urgent collective action to combat the ongoing menace of illegal mining, also known as ‘galamsey.’ He emphasized the need for key stakeholders to unite in strong collaboration to address the growing environmental crisis that is destroying water sources and river bodies across the country.
Daasebre Kofi Asante Mensah made this important call during his coronation ceremony, where he was officially outdoored as the new paramount chief of Sabronum. Addressing a gathering of traditional leaders, government officials, and citizens, he underscored the critical role that traditional authorities, security agencies, citizens, and the government must play in eradicating the illegal mining activities that continue to wreak havoc on the environment.
“We cannot win the fight against illegal mining without the concerted efforts of traditional leaders, security agencies, the government, and the people. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our rivers and sources of drinking water are protected from destruction,” Daasebre Kofi Asante Mensah stated.
In addition to his stance on illegal mining, Daasebre Kofi Asante Mensah highlighted his vision for his tenure as paramount chief, focusing on the advancement of education, healthcare, and agriculture within the Sabronum Traditional Area.
*Promoting Education and Healthcare*
The new chief shared his commitment to improving the standard of education in his traditional area. He stated that the youth are the future, and their success hinges on access to quality education. Daasebre Kofi Asante Mensah vowed to work closely with stakeholders to ensure that educational institutions are well-equipped to provide the necessary resources for academic excellence.
“I am determined to promote quality education among my people. We must ensure that every child has access to the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in the modern world,” he said.
In the area of healthcare, the chief expressed concern over the lack of access to quality medical services in rural communities. He pledged to work towards improving healthcare infrastructure, especially for vulnerable groups such as women and children.
*Agriculture as a Path to Youth Employment*
Furthermore, Daasebre Kofi Asante Mensah stressed the importance of agriculture as a key driver of economic growth and employment for the youth. He noted that with the right attention and resources, the agricultural sector could serve as a sustainable means of livelihood for many young people in his community.
“Agriculture has the potential to create numerous job opportunities for our youth. We will work towards 
revitalizing this sector and making it attractive for young people who are eager to contribute to the development of our area,” he stated.
Daasebre Kofi Asante Mensah’s coronation marked a new chapter for the Sabronum Traditional Area, and his vision for tackling illegal mining, improving education and healthcare, and promoting agricultural development has been widely welcomed by his subjects and stakeholders alike.
The chief’s call for collective action in the fight against illegal mining comes at a time when Ghana continues to grapple with the detrimental effects of galamsey, which has caused severe environmental damage, particularly to water bodies like rivers and streams that are critical sources of drinking water for communities.
As he begins his reign, the traditional leader’s vision for development and environmental protection signals a proactive approach to addressing the key challenges facing his people.
By Simon Opoku Afriyie
