The youth of Akyem Asuom in the Kwaebibirem Municipality of the Eastern Region have forcefully shut down a number of illegal mining sites within their community.
They argue that the illegal and irresponsible mining activities have severely polluted their water bodies, destroyed crops, and rendered farmland infertile.
According to the youth, they had repeatedly warned the illegal miners, and galamseyers, to cease their operations, highlighting the irreversible damage being done to their environment, but to no avail.
“If these illegal activities continue, there will come a time when the people of Akyem Asuom won’t have any fertile land left to farm,” a youth spokesperson Kwesi Sarpong stated.
He alleged that the mining companies responsible for the destruction are operating under mere prospecting licenses, which do not permit mining.
“Despite this, they have continued unabated, reportedly with the alleged protection of certain traditional leaders who are allegedly accepting bribes in exchange for turning a blind eye.” He alleged.
In a plea to the government, he demanded immediate action to halt the illegal mining operations, warning that if the government fails to intervene, they will be forced to take matters into their own hands.
“We won’t sit back and watch our future be destroyed,” he cautioned. The Kade Municipality is made up of a farming populace.
Meanwhile, the Krontihene of Akyem Asuom, Nana Boadi Amponim Abodade III, has expressed his support for the youth’s actions.
He confirmed that the illegal mining has indeed caused significant harm to their water bodies and farmland. “I have tried every possible means to stop these activities since my installation as Krontihene, but all efforts have failed,” he admitted.
