Residents of Amakye-Bare in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti Region have declared their firm opposition to illegal mining, vowing to resist any future activities after successfully halting a recent attempt through a strong community protest.
Illegal mining has caused widespread destruction of farmlands and poses a serious threat to the community’s water sources, which are essential for both domestic use and farming.
Amakye-Bare, a small farming community, depends heavily on agriculture and informal jobs for survival.
Months ago, farmers and residents united to protest the invasion of illegal miners who had already destroyed large tracts of farmland. While some farmers had been coerced into selling their lands, the community eventually took action by clashing with the miners and setting their equipment ablaze after repeated calls for intervention from authorities failed.
Emmanuel Opoku, a chief farmer in Amakye-Bare, expressed concerns over the potential destruction of major rivers and the threat illegal mining poses to their livelihoods. He emphasized that the entire community relies on a major river for irrigation and household use, and vowed not to allow illegal miners to pollute their only water source.
“No one in this community is enthused with illegal mining activities in this area. All the farmers here rely on the major river for their farming activities. We will not allow people to destroy the only source of water we use for our farming activities. There is no job in this community except farming, and allowing illegal miners to carry out their activities will push many out of business.”
During a visit by Channel One News, a reclamation exercise was underway to restore the land damaged by illegal miners. The chief of the area, who was reportedly leading the exercise, denied any knowledge of those responsible for the mining activities or any personal involvement.
However, residents remain sceptical and are determined to protect their environment. Ama Serwaah, a resident, highlighted the dangers illegal mining poses to the Barekese Dam, which supplies water to Kumasi and other parts of the Ashanti Region.
She stressed that the pollution of the dam would have devastating effects on both their livelihoods and the quality of local food products such as kenkey, which is a key business in the community.
“Illegal mining will bring trouble to us in this community. The Barekese Dam is just close, and the activities of illegal miners threaten its survival. That is the water we drink from, and we use it to also cook the local kenkey for sale.
“It is the same water we also use to cultivate our maize, and when it is polluted, it will affect everything. That is why we are declaring war against the Chief that we are not going to allow the illegal miners to carry out their activities in this area.”
Another resident, Awo Sama, reaffirmed the community’s commitment to fighting illegal mining, stating that they had always been aware of its negative effects. She accused illegal miners of attacking the youth in the area out of frustration over the destruction of their mining equipment.
“Growing up, I have always learned about the negative effects of illegal mining, and we will not do it in this community. The major business community is the local kenkey, which is sent to the various cities, including Kumasi, to sell. Illegal miners will only pollute our rivers, and it will affect people who consume the local kenkey. They continue to attack the youth in this because they claim their mining equipment has been destroyed.”
Following the community’s confrontation with the miners, one young resident was arrested. The case is currently before the Kwadaso District Court, but community members insist the accused is innocent and are demanding his release.
The residents of Amakye-Bare have made it clear that they will not back down in their fight against illegal mining, citing the dire consequences it could have on their farmlands, water sources, and overall well-being.
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