Members of the Akrokerri Small Scale Miners Association in the Adansi North District of the Ashanti region have vehemently defended the Queenmother, Nana Serwaa Bruwaa II and the Gyasehene Nana Kofi Berchie, of the allegation that they have superintended over galamsey activities in the town.
At a crowded press conference at Akrokerri to react to “The Chronicle’s lead story of Wednesday September 11, 2024 – headlined ‘Akrokerri Hard Hit By Galamsey’, the miners said the two traditional leaders have not played any negative role as far as the activities of the youth in the town are concerned.
They alluded that they have rather attended to their roles as traditional leaders, which they have performed to perfection.
“Nana Serwaa Bruwaa II is not into galamsey. It is our considered opinion that those who do not see eye-to-eye with her as far as Akrokerri chieftaincy issues are concerned want to drag her name in the mud.” they said.
Speaking through their spokesperson, Mr. Isaak Ibn Ibrahim, the miners said it is unfortunate that the newspaper referred to them as galamseyers, claiming they are recognised Small Scale Miners who operate from an old underground tunnel at the outskirts of the town.
“We are not galamseyers. Our operations do not disturb any river body or any forest reserve and as a result the entire youth of the town get their daily bread from the mine”, they argued.
The spokesperson said from their own resources the miners have provided street bulbs to the Bronikrom community and they are also in the process of putting up a befitting place of convenience for the Bronikrom people as well.
The spokesperson passionately appealed to the government to take note of the fact that the entire Akrokerri community is healthy and sound because of the existence of the mine and for that matter any propaganda from any quarters aimed at stopping their operations should be nipped in the bud.
Mr. Akwasi Adom, the Fomena Constituency Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on his part said the old tunnel from where the Small Scale Miners operate has been in existence several years ago.
He maintained that the Akrokerri mine does not disturb any river body or forest reserve and for that matter the youth should be allowed to mine unprovoked.
From Frederick Danso Abeam, Akrokerri
