The chiefs and residents of Kwahu Daa in the Kwahu West Municipality of the Eastern Region have protested against community mining allegedly being proposed by Kwahu West Member of Parliament, Joseph Frempong.
The protest is a response to a letter allegedly sent by the MP to the chiefs on his intentions.
The chiefs and residents of Kwahu Daa have cautioned the MP not to attempt any move for the community mining at Kwahu Daa.
Chief of Kwahu Daa Nana Amakye Appah expressed worry the community mining scheme would affect their farming activities.
“The MP, Hon. Joseph Fremong, brought the letter. We don’t like community mining in any form. We sold several bags of cocoa this season, we can’t allow our cocoa farms, plantains and cocoyam farms to go waste. We love our farming and the income it brings to us.”
The angry residents argue negative effect of community mining on their social and cultural lives was worse than the economic gains made.
“The adverse effect of mining does not encourage to give out our farmlands. We want to live a better environment for our children.”
Another added: “I am deeply hurt by the action of the MP. We don’t want the community mining.”
In 2019, the Akufo-Addo-led government under the Minerals Commission, which regulates the mining sector, introduced a Community Mining Scheme (CMS).
This was designed to turn illegal miners into formal small-scale miners by allowing them to mine in specifically designated areas under government supervision provided they meet certain safety and environmental criteria.
By Yvonne Neequaye|3news.com|Ghana