In a bold movement to enforce the ban on mining along the Birim and Supong Rivers, Daasebre Doctor Twum Ampofo, the Chief of Asiakwa and Nifahene of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area together with his cabinet and task force, stormed a mining site within Asiakwa community in the Eastern Region and confiscated several excavator control boards.
This decisive action follows Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin’s directive to prohibit mining in the area, as part of a broader effort to combat illegal mining activities along the Birim River and Supong River banks in the Akyem Abuakwa enclave, particularly in Asiakwa community.
Through swift and decisive action, Daasebre Twum Ampofo has consistently demonstrated his unwavering commitment to environmental protection and conservation of natural resources, upholding the rule of law, he has taken a strong stance in safeguarding Asiakwa community water bodies, ensuring their preservation for future generations.
The Okyeman Nifahene, Daasebre Twum Ampofo, joined forces with his cabinet and task force to raid several mining sites in a mission to apprehend illegal miners operating along the river banks, however, upon seeing the team approach, some of the miners fled the scene, abandoning their excavators behind.
Meanwhile, those who failed to escape the raid faced swift consequences, and the Authorities seized the keys to the excavators, gallons of fuel, and generators, effectively crippling their operations.
Furthermore, several control boards were removed from the excavators, rendering them inoperable, while in a strategic movement, dismantle their infrastructure supporting illegal mining activities from functioning, and send a strong message to perpetrators that such actions will no longer be tolerated.
Speaking to a cross section of the media in an interview, the Chief of Asiakwa and Nifahene of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, Daasebre Twum Ampofo, shed light on the community’s struggles to combat illegal mining.
He revealed that despite numerous attempts to deter galamseyers from operating along river banks, their efforts had been met with resistance. Undeterred, the chief and his team took a firm stance, deciding to destroy the excavators caught mining in prohibited areas, sending a strong message that illegal activities would no longer be tolerated.
Dr. Twum Ampofo explained that, upon further consideration, they opted for a more strategic approach and Instead of setting the excavators ablaze, they decided to remove the control boards, effectively rendering the machines inoperable, tactically move to ensured that the equipment could not be used for illegal mining activities, while also preserving the machinery for potential future use in legitimate endeavors.
According to Dr. Twum Ampofo, the Asiakwa Royal Palace has established a condition for the return of the seized items, adding that, before the confiscated equipment is released, the individuals responsible for the destruction must undertake a comprehensive reclamation process.
He said that, any miners who have destroy any farm produce diverse landscapes must ensure replanting the devastated lands with rosewood or teak trees, which will help restore the soil’s nutrients, rendering it suitable for future farming activities, and forward-thinking approach prioritizes environmental sustainability and ensures that those responsible for the destruction take concrete steps to mitigate the damage.
Daasebre Dr. Twum Ampofo and his cabinet issued a stern warning to serves as a final notice to illegal miners to cease their activities and vacate the area to avoid facing the full force of the law.
He urged individuals engaging in mining activities along the river banks in the area and directed that all equipment be immediately removed from the sites, adding that Failure to comply with this directive will result in severe consequences, including the seizure of machines, when the authorities conduct their next operation.
Meanwhile the Apagyahene of Asiakwa, Nana Yaw Brobbey, has praised the chief of Asiakwa for taking decisive action to ban mining along river bodies.
He is of confident that, sustaining these efforts will lead to positive outcomes.
Additionally, some community members living near the mining sites have reported being approached by illegal miners (galamseyers) with lucrative offers.
Opanin Bernard Ampomaa Gyamena, whose residence is in close proximity to one of the sites, revealed that these individuals offer substantial sums of money to persuade homeowners to sell their properties to enable the galamseyers to utilize the land for mining activities.
Sadly, some community members have already succumbed to their pressure, selling their house to the miners.
He said Despite persistent pressure from the galamseyers, he stood firm in my refusal to sell the house to them, rather thinking of future generations, including his unborn children, holding us accountable for idly standing by properties and supporting destruction water bodies.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Paul Manyo
