The Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin has directed owners of excavators and mining equipment operating along the banks of the Birim River to remove them within a month, or get them confiscated.
The decision follows complaints by Ghana Water Company Limited (GWC) that the turbidity level of the river, where raw water is sourced, treated and distributed to the residents of Kyebi has gone high.
According to GWC, if nothing was done about the level of turbidity in the Birim River, their plant may break down and can’t process raw water for mass consumption within the Kyebi township and its surroundings.
Residents of Kyebi, in the last two months, have complained about the density of chemicals emanating from their taps.
Some have also complained about the dirty nature of the water that flows from their taps, coupled with the erratic nature of supply of water by the Ghana Water Company Limited to various homes and businesses in the last two months.
In a press statement issued by the Public Affairs Directorate of the Akyem Abuakwa State, the Okyenhene, in consultation with the Akyem Abuakwa traditional council, has ordered for the removal of all mining equipment along the Birim River.
The statement, signed by the State Secretary, Mr. D.M. Ofori-Atta, indicated that a taskforce will be commissioned in earnest to commence the confiscation of all mining equipment working along the Birim River. It states that, no miner is required to mine closer to any river body let alone mine within rivers.
According to the Statement, the Taskforce will begin to confiscate mining equipment effective February 28, 2025 and that Nananoom has a responsibility to protect their environment and water bodies if the State security agencies decline to do the same.
‘The Council wishes to inform the general public that a Task Force has been constituted to rid the Birim River from illegal miners operating along the Birim River.
“All owners of excavator machines are hereby ordered to remove them on or before the 28th Day of February, 2025”, the Statement noted.
The statement continues that “please take note and notice is hereby given that the Council has ordered its Task Force to remove and confiscate excavators and other mining equipment without further recourse to their owners”
