In a bold movement to enforce the ban on mining along the Birim and Supong Rivers in the Akyem Abuakwa area in the Eastern Region, Daasebre Dr Twum Ampofo, the Nifahene of Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Area, led the community’s anti-illegal mining task force to conduct operations at Asiakwa, leading to the seizure of several excavator control boards.
This decisive action follows Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin’s directive to prohibit mining activities along the Birim River and Supong River banks in the Akyem Abuakwa enclave.
Daasebre Dr Twum Ampofo, who is also the Chief of Asiakwa, led the task force to raid several mining sites in a mission to apprehend illegal miners operating along the river banks; however, upon seeing the team approach, some of the miners fled the scene, abandoning their excavators behind.
Meanwhile, those who failed to escape the raid faced swift consequences, as the traditional authorities seized keys to the excavators, gallons of fuel, and generators, effectively crippling their operations.
Furthermore, several control boards were removed from the excavators, rendering them inoperable, to send a strong message to the perpetrators that they would no longer be tolerated.
Speaking to a cross-section of the media in an interview, Daasebre Twum Ampofo shed light on the community’s struggles to combat illegal mining.
He revealed that despite numerous attempts to deter illegal miners from operating along river banks, their efforts had been met with resistance. Undeterred, the chief and his team took a firm stance, deciding to destroy the excavators caught mining in prohibited areas.
According to Dr. Twum Ampofo, the Asiakwa Royal Palace has established a condition for the return of the seized items, adding that, before the confiscated equipment is released, the individuals responsible for the destruction must undertake a comprehensive reclamation process.
He said that any miner who has destroyed any farm produce must ensure its reclamation through replanting and assured that those responsible for the destruction will take concrete steps to mitigate the damage. The Chief issued a stern final notice to illegal miners to cease their activities and vacate the area to avoid facing the full force of the law.
Some community members living near the mining sites have reported being approached by illegal miners with lucrative offers.
Opanin Bernard Ampomaa Gyamena, whose residence is in close proximity to one of the sites, revealed that these individuals offer substantial sums of money to persuade homeowners to sell their properties to enable the illegal miners to use the land for mining activities.
Sadly, some community members have already succumbed to their pressure, selling their houses to the miners.
He said despite persistent pressure from the illegal miners, he has refused to sell the house to them.
