For Ghana to be able to enhance transparency in the issuance of mining licence, then the mining licence regime ought to be decentralised, that's according to the paramount Chief of Gwira Traditional Area in Nzema East municipality in the Western region, Awulae Angama Tu-agyan.

Consequently, he has appealed to the administration of President John Dramani Mahama to endeavour to decentralise issuance of mining licence in the country.

He said companies or individuals applying for mining licence in the country, must made to go down to the communities where they intend to mine to have direct working relationship with the affected communities through comprehensive agreements.

"Acquisition of mining license to mine is difficult for owners of mining concessions while outsiders come with license from Accra to do exploration at the blind side of mining communities" he revealed.

Making this suggestion known to Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson during a courtesy call on him, he said there is a reason why decentralisation of the Licensing regime will help regulate the country's mining regime and this stems on the fact that mining communities currently don't know anything about all the process involved in acquiring all the appropriate certifications, documentation and all licensing required to mine.

Awulae Angama Tu-agyan observed that one of the reasons why successive governments have not been able to tackle illegal mining activities in the country hinges on the aforementioned.

"The communities own the resources, but they cannot get the required documents to grant them access to the resources, and outsiders come with documents to mine in these concessions"

Consequently, he said the issue of licensing, once tackled properly will go along way to solve the problem of illegal mining and make possible domestication of the mining industry for local partnerships and participation.

The threats being received by locals from existing mining companies against their wishes, he underscored could be resolved once the communities also secure their share of the resources legitimately.

He revealed that currently there are serious issues in court against two of the chiefs in the area for over two years now due to their disagreement with these companies invading mining communities.

Explaining the current impasse between Okoben mines and the traditional area, he said the company is engaged in Illegal activities.

"We have engaged Minerals Commission on his prospectus and discovered that the company doesn't have any licence to prospect or explore any mine in our area"

In response to all the challenges mentioned, Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson explained that the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) doesn't offer lands, licence or lease for mining activities, and therefore will refer the proposals to the appropriate Ministry.

He said whenever the traditional area encounters any issue with any mining firm, the best approach is to report to the appropriate institution for redress.

"The fight against illegal mining activities has no political colours. The damage caused by illegal mining is unquantifiable"

"I can tell you that Gwira is dominating in the illegal mining activities

It is disturbing considering the fact that River Ankobra passes there. Constant colour of the water is a testament . It is something we must all fight together
Our agric, food, health and safety all at risk.

The Chinese invasion of mining areas is usually led by Ghanaians. You cannot do that in China. The fight is huge, but we must all support.

No chief should come forward to front for any illegal miner when arrested.
We are wild, we will continue to pursue the illegal miners until they stop.

On regulations and the licensing regime, Joseph Nelson noted that government will implement innovative policies to streamline mining in the country.

"Once they don't stop, we will go after them" he warned illegal miners.

"As the Regional Minister, chief, you will agree with me that we must win the war against illegal mining. We will support Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources to win the war. Cocoa sector is currently under attack and being destroyed", he stated.

"We are in danger" as the ongoing illegal mining becoming travesty of justice"

He said the water Ghana consumes currently could be contaminated with detected chemicals in virtually all our treated water sources because of illegal mining.

Therefore, i call on you the Chiefs to join the campaign against illegal mining. I will not listen to any chief who will beg for any illegal miner when they are arrested".