The Ghana Environmental Advocacy Group (GEAG), Nzema Youth Association, Aowin Youth Association and three other Youth Groups, all in the western region, have joined hands to roundly reject illegal mining on water bodies, lands and forest reserves.
The group at a news conference and a sensitisation workshop at Bakanta in the Ellembelle District of the region rejected any form of small scale mining, including community mining.
Elizabeth AlluaVaah, who read a statement on behalf of GEAG, mentioned that irresponsible mining had destroyed their forest, land and rivers and continues to pose as an existential threat to the people.
“Why can’t we stand together with one voice and destroy this evil of mining. What will it take for Nzemas, Wassas, Sefwis, Ashantis and others who are suffering from the evil canker to say enough is enough”, she asked.
Turning her attention to traditional leaders, Elizabeth Allua Vaah said given that Nananom are the custodians of the land, forest and rivers, they should not allow it to continue.
‘Today’, the GEAG spokesperson told the conference, “many of us are drinking mercury and lead laden water, eating tubers, fishes and fruits that have been contaminated with poisonous heavy metal”.
The resulting increase in diseases associated with mercury, lead and cyanide poisoning today, she indicated, was just a herald to what would befall our unborn generations.
Given the dangers associated with illegal mining and many lives that have been lost through it, the spokesperson asked, “Do their death mean anything to you,Nananom.
Cocoa production has reduced and whatever little we have left will soon be tagged as contaminated with heavy metals. Isn’t that concerning enough?”
To that end, she said “we demand action, we need action”.
GEAG, however, indicated that it was aware of the excellent works some gallant traditional leaders and others have done to keep galamsey destruction away from their lands.
Nevertheless, “We are also aware of the complicit role the state and some of Nananom have played in the poisoning of our lands and rivers. Rest assured, there will be time for reckoning for all.
“If the state would not keep us safe and some of our traditional leaders were also going to betray us, then it will be up to us regular citizens to stand up and protect our communities”.
According to her, their lands in towns and villages such as Aiyinase Sendu, Obeng Krom, Anwia, EgilaEshiem, Banso and Dadieso, all in Nzema, are being destroyed by foreigners and Ghanaians fronting for them.
The group showed results of the analysis of five different water sources like rivers Ankobra, Birim, Butre, Offin, Pra, Subie, Tano and others, that have been contaminated as a result of mining.
She expressed the hope that, “you will join us in our resolve to say never again to destructive community mining”.
The Youth of Asemkrom in a solidarity statement also highlighted how illegal mining has destroyed lands, water bodies and forest, despite the fact that the area has anti-galamsey youth who have resolved to fight the canker.
Patrick Danso, who read the statement on behalf of AsemkromYouth, indicated that the fight against illegal mining in Asemkrom, spearheaded by some youth in the area, had explicitly unveiled three of the players in the galamsey saga.
He mentioned names that are deeply involved in galamsey in the area.
According to him, though those behind the mining claim it was providing jobs for the youth in the area, the youth on the other hand rejected the claim.
Given the difficulties the anti-galamsey team are facing in their work, he recounted an incident where on December 28, 2022 two Chinese and six Ghanaians were caught in the act of illegal mining at Asemkrom.
They were arrested by the anti-galamsey group, but to date, there has been no prosecution. Funny enough, Patrick Danso told the press conference that eleven anti-galamsey activists were rather charged for assault.
The charge, he said, were pressed by the very kingpins who were arrested in the act of illegal mining by the anti-galamsey group.
That aside, they were also arrested on false accusation of having sold land for galamsey. All these, he indicated, were collaboration between the kingpins and the Police, including some elders of the community.
“We want to make it clear to all and sundry that the current situation at Asemkrom, relating to the fight against galamsey cannot continue. The rule of law must be upheld and security of all citizens assured.
“We stand ready to support the government and the local communities in finding lasting solution to the crisis and we call upon all parties involved to come together in the spirit of cooperation and dialogue”.
Dr. Robert Nyameke and Wendy Climate both sensitised the workshop on health implications of galamsey.
