Residents of Salma, Akamko, Salems, Bamiako, Adelkezo, Eshiamu, Dominiasie, and Awukyire in the Western Region’s Nzema East District have demonstrated against what they believe to be illegal mining operations on concessions owned by Adamus Resources Limited by certain foreign nationals.
They assert that parts of the aforementioned concession have reportedly been leased to foreign nationals who are now involved in alluvial mining, despite the fact that many young people in the impacted communities are unemployed.
They are therefore asking with Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, to declare the government’s stance on the fate of the locals who have been requesting possibilities to participate in lawful small-scale mining operations.
They petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to look into the situation, which led to their appeal to the Lands Minister and the demonstration that followed.
The protesters demanded that the government step in right away.
The protesters said they don’t understand why foreigners are working on parts of the region’s acquired mining concessions while the locals are unable to make ends meet on their own property.
Some of the demonstrators temporarily disrupted commercial operations and human traffic by burning car tires and blocking highways.
In order to restore order, the military and members of the Ghana Police Service were called in.
The demonstrators described how, when some protestors tried to enter the area, they were allegedly physically assaulted by military soldiers who were allegedly acting on the orders of foreign nationals involved in mining on parts of the Adamus concession.
The demonstrators claim that five foreign people were recently detained for allegedly engaged in illegal mining on concessions owned by Adamus Resources Limited, which gave the locals hope that the government had finally taken action against illicit mining in the region.
In the meantime, the demonstrators have vowed to keep applying pressure on the government to resolve their issues.
Additionally, they called on the Lands Minister to act immediately to stop the issue from getting worse.
Source: newsthemegh.com