Landowners within the Akyem Abuakwa risk losing their lands for life if they release them to illegal miners.

The Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council has indicated that all lands mined and abandoned with open pits shall be reclaimed and handed over to them.

Addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of the Gyaase division in Akyem Abuakwa State as part of activities marking his 25th-anniversary celebration, Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin announced that illegal mining activities coupled with abandoned open pits continue to pose a risk to the citizens.

He indicated that the traditional council will reclaim all abandoned mines.

"We have a decree at the State Council that any landowner who releases his/her land to a miner stands the chance of losing it if the miners do not reclaim the land after mining. We shall look for resources and reclaim those lands and hold interest in that land and nobody can do anything about it," the Okyenhene said.

He expressed worry over the devastation being caused by illegal mining and its health implications within mining communities in the country.

"Today, some new babies are born with deformities. Some [are] without hands or eyes, and all forms of deformities due to the toxicity of the chemicals left in our water and land. People come here to mine, destroy our lands, and leave to their hometown and enjoy, and you sit here as a land owner and continue to release your land to illegal miners? It's unthinkable!" Osagyefuo added.

He indicated that the stool holds the allodial title in all lands within the Akyem Abuakwa State.

"Our arrangement is that all natives can cultivate as many bare lands as they wish and keep the land for themselves and theirs. However, if the state requires land for development, that land can be taken over, and compensation can be paid to the owner. Nobody can resist development in this area," the Okyenhene said.

The revered traditional leader decided to tour the five divisions within the Akyem Abuakwa State as part of his 25th-anniversary celebrations.

The divisional durbar started with the Adonten division at Kukurantumi, followed by the Benkum division in Begoro, Nifa in Asiakwa, Oseawuo in Wenchi, and Gyaase division in Kwaben.

The Grand Durbar commemorating the Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin anniversary is slated for October 12, 2024, at the Akyem Abuakwa State Capital in Kyebi.

The Grand Durbar at Kyebi will see a host of chiefs within Akyem Abuakwa and across the country with the Okyenhene.

The anniversary planning committee said it will be a day to showcase the culture and tradition of Okyeman.