Any Ashanti chief whose property is exploited for unlawful mining, popularly known as galamsey, has come under threat from the Asantehene Otumfou Osei Tutu II.
Chiefs cannot appear innocent while their territories are being utilized for criminal activities, according to the Asantehene.
The Asantehene stated chiefs must be held accountable during a meeting with the Ashanti Regional House of Chiefs in Kumasi.
"Any chief whose property is utilized for unauthorized mining will be called in and questioned next year. We will interrogate you if we come to your property and find that it has been used for galamsey, and if you are unable to provide a justification, we will impose sanctions.
Chiefs have been identified as important players in the struggle against illicit mining because of their control over territories that are under their control.
President Akufo-Addo met with the National House of Chiefs to ask for their help in the battle against illicit mining as part of the current resurgence of interest in this issue.
Before the meeting, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, had cited Chiefs as one of the causes of the country's escalating problem with unlawful mining.