Aggrieved residents of Salma, Akamko, Salems, Bamiako, Adelkezo, Eshiamu, Dominiasie and Awukyire – all in the Nzema East District of the Western Region – have protested against mining activities they suspect to be illegal on concessions belonging to Adamus Resources Limited, by some foreign nationals.
The demonstrators said they do not understand why the foreign nationals are operating on portions acquired mining concessions in the area, while the local people have no access to their own lands to eke out a living.
They claim that while many young people in the affected communities are unemployed, portions of the said concession have allegedly been leased to foreign nationals who are now engaged in alluvial mining.
As a result, they are pleading with the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah to state the position of government, regarding the fate of the local people who have been pleading for opportunities to engage in legal small-scale mining activities.
Their plea to the Lands Minister and the subsequent protest is a follow up to a petition to President John Dramani Mahama to investigate the matter. The demonstrators called for the immediate intervention of government.
Some of the protesters blocked roads and burnt car tyres, while creating temporary disruption of human traffic and business activities.
The situation drew personnel from the Ghana Police Service and a deployment of the military to restore calm.
The protesters recounted how they were allegedly manhandled by military officers said to be acting on the orders of the foreign nationals engaged in mining on portions of the Adamus concession, when some protestors attempted to gain access to the area.
According to the protesters, five foreign nationals were arrested recently for allegedly engaging in illegal mining on concessions belonging to Adamus Resources Limited, which raised the hopes among the residents that the authorities had finally taken action against illegal mining in the area.
Meanwhile, the protesters have threatened to continue to put pressure on the authorities so that they address their concerns. They also urged the Lands Minister to intervene as a matter of urgency, before the situation worsens.
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