She explained, galamsey and illegal lumbering has become a crucial national canker which needed collective efforts to end the menace, this, she said, when achieved would help preserve water bodies and forest reserves to promote development and boost tourism in the country.

The Bono Regional Minister noted this when she stormed galamsey sites in the Banda District as part of the war she has waged against illegal lumbering and illegal mining in the region.

Justina Owusu-Banahene said MMDCES as representatives of the President in their various areas should not engage in anything that will thwart the efforts of the President in his quest to fight galamsey and illegal lumbering and appointees who act on the contrary will be dealt with severely.

She emphasised that just like fighting anything illegal, the fight against galamsey required the support of all to stem it, if not, “ the country and the next generation will be the biggest losers.”

We have come too far in the fight to stop here for a few greedy miscreants to hold the entire nation to ransom. Our very lives depend on the complete success of the campaign against galamsey and illegal lumbering "she noted."

She admonished the media to continue to do their part by speaking against galamsey and illegal lumbering and the citizenry must also play their role by reporting people who engage in the nefarious activity while the government will ensure they are properly prosecuted.