The Chief of Akyem Asuom, along with the community’s youth, took a bold stand against illegal mining activities in the area, successfully chasing out about 10 illegal miners operating in the region.
This significant action comes as part of the community’s growing frustration with the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey.”
The Kontihene of the area, Nana Boadi Ampomenim Abodade III, said as the leader of the community, they have written to several security agencies and the minerals commission yet there has been no response.
“This development, if I am not careful I will make a very long statement talking about it but in summary, we have written several petitions to the regional police command. We requested that they come and help us deal with these galamseyers from this town. We have also written to the Eastern Reginal Inspectorate of the Mineral Commission to assist us get them out of our town. We went as far as petitioning the Ghana Armed Forces. There was no response from any of the petitions we wrote.
“The senior officials at the Ghana Armed Forces told me that if it were earlier days, they would have given me two buses of soldiers to help me stop them. But they said it is out of their way because the government has instructed that no soldier should engage in any form of anti-galamsey fight.
“As I am speaking with you, through fraternising with the military officers, most of whom were angry. In Ghana, we continue to train soldiers but for a long time, we have not gone to war with any country.
“So, if the military officers are not able to help us protect our lands and water bodies all because a political regime wants to win power, then we are not thinking about the future generations. It is not just about the soldiers, but also the police.
“If we want to end this galamsey, it is very simple. Every district commander knows those who are engaged in galamsey in their district. They also know where the illegal miners are destroying our river body but the question is, if police go to meet an adult raping a minor and he doesn’t act, is that not negligence of duty? Is that not in itself criminal? So, if the police, their district commanders are there and galamseyers are destroying our land and they don’t want to say anything about it, that is the neglect of duty,” he stated.
Illegal mining, which has become a menace, has prompted several associations and professional groups to call on the government to put a temporary ban on all forms of small-scale mining until a sustainable solution is arrived at.
Youth of Akyem Asuom, in the Eastern Region, halt operations of 10 illegal mining companies. #ChannelOneNews pic.twitter.com/dqwynIXY7B
— ChannelOne TV (@Channel1TVGHA) September 9, 2024