Okyenhene Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin says the future and prosperity of the eastern region depends on agriculture and not on mining.

Speaking at the 2nd Eastern Regional GJA awards ceremony under the Theme: Securing a Malaria Free Ghana: the role of the media, Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin hinted that mining has not given local communities the required development.

He believed dugouts in mining areas breed mosquitoes which eventually cause malaria and reduce productivity in the country and in most cases kill people, especially children and mothers.

According to Okyenhene, the Eastern Region would reap its benefits and realize its full potential if the government invests into agriculture and engage most of the youth in this venture.

He urged the Ghanaian media to be bold and speak truth to power because they owe the Ghanaian people the right to information and to know.

Osagyefo Amoatia Ofori Panin hinted that, until the people change their attitude and lifestyle towards the environment, no medicine can eradicate malaria from Ghana.

Eastern Regional Chairman of the Ghana Journalists Association Mr. Maxwell Kudekor expressed worry over the lack of interest among journalists in the region towards malaria reporting.

He urged journalists in the region to prioritize matters that affect the people in their news reportage.