The Eastern Regional Minister, Dr Kwasi Akyem Apea-Kubi has appealed to the traditional authorities to support the Regional
Co-ordinating Council, to fight illegal mining along the Birim River to save the water body from destruction.
He said the fight against illegal mining in the country was not the sole responsibility of the ruling National Democratic Congress, but the duty of all political parties as well as the citizenry.
Dr Apea-Kubi was speaking at the palace of the Omanhene of New Juaben Traditional Council, Daasebre Oti Boateng, on Monday when he paid a courtesy call on him to introduce himself as the new Regional Minister.
He said apart from degrading the environment, illegal mining was also causing diseases and killing people who fell into the pits left behind by the illegal miners.
Dr Apea-Kubi said the priority of his administration would be the pursuit of peace, saying without peace, no development could take place and called for the support of the traditional authorities to achieve his objective.
Daasebre Oti Boateng assured the regional minister of the support of the New Juaben Traditional Council and advised him to always stand by the truth.