The Municipal Chief Executive for Kwahu South Emmanuel Attah Ofori has charged residents in the area to be bold enough to help fight illegal mining activities.
Kwahu has recently been recording several galamsey activities which are causing harm to river bodies in the area.
The activities have destroyed acres of vegetation and polluted the Pra River (at Kwahu Praso) and Drobon (a river at Oframase, a suburb of Nkawkaw)
Initially, galamsey activity at Oframase in Kwahu West Municipality which the miners claimed was “prospecting” was causing harm to the Drobon River, however, a report filed by Agoo news created awareness and tension in the area, leading to illegal mining being stopped resulting in changes to the river.
In addition, the Odikro for Akwaboa in Kwahu West Municipality of Eastern Region, Nana Kofi Osei, and three retired soldiers were arrested on a mining site over alleged illegal mining activities.
The suspects were arrested at Nkwaakwaasem a community in Kwahu East on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at about 5:10 pm during a joint Police and Military operation by Kwahu South and East Assemblies.
The illegal miners who were working at the mining site with excavators and other mining equipment managed to escape upon seeing the operation team approach.
Suddenly, Odikro and the three alleged ex-military officers appeared claiming ownership of the concession under the company name TLG mining company.
They claimed the company is duly licensed but were arrested. The suspects have been granted bail; information gathered indicates that the regional police command is in charge of the case now.
Speaking on the Morning Show Ene Nso Bio Thursday 3rd November 2022, the Kwahu South MCE Emmanuel Attah Ofori Senior said the law will deal ruthlessly with anyone found engaging in galamsey.
“The galamsey fight is a matter to all of us, no order from above will come from anywhere. The law will work and it will serve as a deterrent to others. We urge everyone to help fight this canker for our water bodies and the land must be protected. No one is against mining, but the right thing must be done.’’ He stated.