Executives of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Atiwa East Constituency have launched a community-led operation to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the area, leading to the confiscation of 22 chanfai machines and three water pumping machines used in illicit mining operations.
The clamp down, led by the constituency organizer Sumaila Ahmed, was in response to the alarming surge in illegal mining activities that reportedly escalated after a brief leadership vacuum in the district following the change of government.
Speaking to Mybrytfmonline.com, Sumaila Ahmed, said illegal miners took advantage of the absence of a District Chief Executive (DCE) to mine indiscriminately, even close to major roads and high-tension electricity poles, posing serious safety and environmental threats.
“After the change of government when there was no DCE, these illegal miners moved in with impunity. They operated recklessly around roadsides and near high-tension poles. We decided to act as citizen vigilantes, flushed them out, dismantled their chanfai machines, and warned them not to return to the mining sites,” he said.
He noted that the NDC executives are collaborating with the with stakeholders to maintain order and protect the environment from further degradation.
“We won’t sit aloof and allow these miners to disgrace this government. We’re helping the security services to do their work,” Sumaila added.
He said, very soon all miners who have mined holes uncovered will be pursued to reclaim them.
Meanwhile, the District Chief Executive for Atiwa East, Ernest Owusu Ntim, has begun engaging traditional authorities, opinion leaders, and other local stakeholders in a series of meetings aimed at adopting a community-based approach to tackle the illegal mining menace and protect the Birim River, which serves as a vital water source for the region.
The DCE reaffirmed the assembly’s commitment to safeguarding the environment while seeking sustainable and lawful livelihood alternatives for local youth.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
