Tarkwa, Oct. 24, GNA- The Wassa Fiase Traditional Council has appealed to the government and the Minerals Commission to expedite action on handing over of degraded mining lands to the chiefs of the area. Osagyefo Kwamina Enimil VI Omanhene of the Traditional Area was speaking at a council's at Tarkwa on Thursday.

He disclosed that the council had decided to invest in oil-palm cultivation under the President's Special Initiative (PSI) on oil palm. The chief said the major problem facing the council is lack of land since almost all the farm lands in the area have been taken over by the mining companies, adding " we have no other alternative than to request the government to release the degraded mining lands to us for farming".

He said the investment in oil palm plantation had become necessary because the council had realised that it cannot solely rely on mining and timber royalties to cater for their developmental needs.

Osagyefo Enimil noted that the council's investments in oil palm plantation would go a long way to provide employment for most of the youth in the area.

He spoke against the rate at which rape cases are reported in the area and said, the council had ordered all chiefs in the area not to attempt to settle rape cases but report such cases to the police.