Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has proposed granting equity stakes in mineral resources to traditional leaders within the respective jurisdictions.

He says this will be a major solution to tackling illegal mining activities across the country.

According to the Vice President, the involvement of traditional leaders in land management, in collaboration with their district assemblies, can serve as a deterrent to illegal miners who often exploit loopholes in regulatory systems.

He believes that giving chiefs an equity stake will incentivize them to protect their lands from degradation and promote sustainable mining practices.

"The resource whether it's a gold mine or whatever, when we find gold in your area, then you have a stake in it, an equity stake, the district assembly has an equity stake. Once you have an equity stake, you will not allow the land to be misused.

Dr. Bawumia spoke at an engagement with the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs to kick-start his three-day tour in the region.

His comments come amidst widespread concern among traditional leaders over the environmental impact of illegal mining activities.

The Vice President also proposed that the chiefs be roped into the committees supervising the granting of mining permits in their respective districts.

"We want to make sure that we can regulate the small-scale miners, and make sure the chiefs are part of the district mining committee that will give the licenses to the small-scale miners," he added.