Okyenhene calls for severe punishment on "galamseyers" The Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin has once again expressed concern about the devastation of the environment. He has therefore warned that those who are still engaging in an illegal small-scale mining, "Galamsey" should be arrested and prosecuted without fear or favour in order to serve as a deterrent to others. Osagyefuo Amoatia, who is also the President of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, was speaking at the 22nd GJA awards event in Accra, held under the theme: “Safe Mining and Environmental Protection: The Role of the Media”. The Okyenhene who was the Special Guest of honour at the prestigious ceremony, called for sustainable development to provide for the needs of the present while safeguarding the interests of future generations. "I worry about the future of our children, I worry about the diseases coming to our lives because of our actions, I worry about what type of country we’re going to leave behind for our children". He said. Special awards for the fight against Galamsey went to individuals and Media Houses. The Minister of Communications, Mrs. Ursula Owusu Ekuful, who represented President Nana Addo Dankwa-Akufo Addo at the event, disclosed that government has announced a general amnesty for all Radio and Television stations affected by the authorization audit by the National. Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful said the fines have been reduced to one year, meaning defaulters will now pay a one year fine instead of the multiple years they have defaulted in payment. The Communications Minister said the affected stations have until January 15 next year to pay the fines. The GJA President, Roland Affail Monney, commended Ghanaian journalists for the exceptional roles they played in ensuring successful general election in 2016. He said the media exhibited the best electoral journalism with reportorial skills, editorial craftsmanship, analytical power and professionalism, which contributed immensely to credible polls. GBCONLINE ---DECRYPTED---