The National House of Chiefs has called on the government to involve traditional leaders in the allocation of lands for extractive activities.
President of the House, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, says sidelining chiefs in mineral allocations undermines their authority and denies communities the benefits of their natural resources.
He believes meaningful consultation with traditional leaders will help safeguard local interests and promote inclusive development in mining areas.
For years, traditional authorities have voiced concerns over being excluded from decisions on land allocations for mineral extraction. Chiefs argue that this exclusion not only weakens their authority but deprives their communities of rightful economic benefits.
In a renewed appeal, the President of the National House of Chiefs, Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II, has urged the government to prioritise engagement with traditional leaders—particularly in the allocation of mining lands—to help curb illegal mining and ensure fairness.
“Lands are taken over without informing Nananom. Nananom should be involved in the allocation and takeover of lands. Also, timber extraction. Before you give any area to any timber merchant to work, Nananom own the land. They should be involved. If it is mining, Nananom has the surface rights. They should be involved,” he said.
Ogyeahoho Yaw Gyebi II made the call during a stakeholder engagement with the Lands Commission on the review of Ghana’s National Land Policy. He pointed out several gaps in the current framework and stressed the need for reform.
He also encouraged members of the House to educate themselves on emerging issues affecting their jurisdictions to better advocate for their communities and promote sustainable development.
Consultant to the Lands Commission, Dr. Wordsworth Odame Larbi, supported the call, stressing that a comprehensive review of the land policy is impossible without the full participation of traditional custodians.
“We need to engage with them, get their thinking, inputs, and insight into what should be the next phase of our land development,” he stated.
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