Tarkwa, Dec 19, GNA - The Wassa Fiase Traditional Council has spoken out against surface mining and said this method of mining was taking over virtually all their lands.

They suggested that no new company should be granted permit to operate a surface mine.

"Should all our land be degraded through surface mining, posterity would blame us," the chiefs said on Sunday at the end of this year meeting of Wassa Fiase Traditional Council held at Tarkwa. Osagyefo Enimil Kumah VI, the Paramount Chief of Wassa Fiase Traditional Area and President of the council, said mining had been carried out in the area for over a hundred years but its impact on the people had been negative as compared to a mining town like Johannesburg in South Africa.

"Even with the introduction of Alternative Livelihood Programme recently, people are living in abject poverty while their lands have been taken over for surface mining," he said.

Nana Kwasi Akrosa, the Chief of Bontoware, condemned surface mining and said, "if we sit down unconcerned and allow all our lands to be used for surface mining, posterity will blame us."

Nana Kwadu Kyirifo, the Chief of Sekyere Hinman, said surface mining would not help Ghana and suggested that mining companies engaged in surface mining should be allowed to carry on their operations but no new companies should be allowed to operate. Nana Kwasi Sompre, the Chief of Kookoase, condemned the recent attack and eviction of illegal gold mines at Prestea.