The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atiwa West in the Eastern Region, Mr Amon Johnson Amon, has appealed to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, to fast-track the rollout and implementation of the Cooperative Mining Policy aimed at addressing illegal mining across the country.

Speaking on the sidelines of the public hearing of the Committee on Local Government and Rural Development in Parliament, Mr. Amon said the policy would provide a clear framework for Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to combat galamsey effectively.

He disclosed that his district has already set up a special task force to help curb illegal mining, stressing that the cooperative mining framework could serve as a blueprint for DCEs nationwide in managing the menace.

In a related development, the DCE for Atiwa East, also in the Eastern Region, Mr Ernest Ntim, raised concerns over what he described as a huge discrepancy between the cost of his official bungalow and its real value.

He further noted that ongoing mining activities in his district have significantly contributed to the rising cost of living, worsening the plight of residents.

Both DCEs urged the government to prioritise mining sector reforms to address environmental destruction, housing challenges, and the economic pressures linked to illegal mining activities.