Residents of Nsuokyire in the Aowin District of the Western Region took matters into their own hands this morning, storming illegal mining (galamsey) sites and chasing out two Chinese nationals suspected of devastating the Tano Numre Forest and polluting the nearby Tano River.
The aggrieved locals, wielding sticks, apprehended the two Chinese and their Ghanaian accomplice after spotting them loitering near the illegal mining sites. Acting on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources’ call for collective action against galamsey, the community members swiftly took the suspects to the chief’s palace for further action.
In a show of resistance against illegal mining, the enraged residents also set fire to makeshift structures left behind at the galamsey site.
Speaking to Citi News, one of the protestors emphasized that they would not allow authorities to turn a blind eye while foreign miners destroy their water bodies and increase the risk of flooding in the area.
