The Gwira Traditional Council has called on the ministry of lands and natural resources, Minerals Commission, and all other regulatory state agencies to as a matter of urgency withdraw the licences issued to Okobeng Mining company to operate in the Gwira Traditional Area in the Nzema East Municipality within the Western Region of Ghana.
A seven-member delegation from the council today, 2nd February, 2023 held a press briefing at the Ghana International Press Centre where they lamented the impact of alleged illegal mining activities of Okobeng Mining company in the area.
According to the President of the Gwira Traditional Council, Awulae Angama Tu-Agyan II, the affected communities had resolved to ban Okobeng Mining from undertaking any activities in their areas and needed the approval from the Ministry and Minerals Commission to enforce their decision.
The chiefs declared their support for government’s illegal mining fight and expressed their readiness to collaborate with relevant agencies to stamp out the menace in the area.
They asserted that a number of companies were undertaking mining operations without the required licence and that the chiefs had made moves to stop them but would need backing from the Ministry.
Aside the illegal mining activities, the chiefs have also observed that the owner of Okobeng Mining Company and his cohorts had allegedly been carrying out activities which had security implications with the potential of degenerating into a full-scale crisis if preventive measures were not expeditiously instituted.
Awulae Angama Tu-Agyan II has called on authorities to assist the people of Gwira Traditional area to protect their lands, farms and river bodies.
He further noted that the traditional area will further explore other alternatives should government fails to stop Okobeng mining company within 14 days.
Story by:Kwaku Stephen
