Source: newsthemegh.com
A 10-day deadline has been given by the chiefs of the agricultural village of Akyem Hemang in Ghana’s Eastern Region’s Fanteakwa South District for the cessation of all galamsey operations.
The ultimatum demands that important parties, including the Ghana Police Service, the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, and the local assembly, take immediate action to address the urgent problem of illegal mining activities that are seriously contaminating the area’s water sources and causing extensive damage to farmlands.
The Chief of Akyem Hemang, Osabarima Mmirrikkissi Okasum Apori Atta, stressed to the media that the community’s patience had run out.
With the words “We know you have done your best, but it is not good enough,” the chiefs are pleading for quick action.
They asked, “Who has authorized them to come and mine our water bodies in the first place? If you can’t do it, give us about 10 policemen to accompany us.”
He argued, “We cannot build Ghana in this way,” and forewarned, “I cannot again contain the ire of my people.”
Osabarima Mmirrikkissi Okasum Apori Atta also cautioned that the community is ready to take matters into their own hands to protect their water sources and farmlands if there is no adequate response within the allotted 10 days, albeit they prefer a legal conclusion.
Locals are frustrated by the situation, and some of them have blamed the government for what they see as a failure in the national campaign against illegal mining.
Ernest Ofosu, the District Chief Executive for Fanteakwa South and Chair of the District Security Council (DISEC), has promised that an emergency DISEC meeting will be called as soon as possible to address the community’s complaints in response to these pressing issues.