[ 2016-08-26 ]

Illegal mining activities destroy farmlands in A/Region

Illegal miners have destroyed large swathes of
cocoa farms in Bepotenten and Gyamang, two farming
communities in the Amansie Central District in the
Ashanti Region.

The level of devastation has resulted in some
residents abandoning their farming activities and
relocating their families to other communities to
prevent them from falling into the open gullies
dug by the illegal miners.

A Chinese woman, identified as Madam Asia Huang,
is said to be the lead operator, working with some
Ghanaian collaborators.

Opinion leaders in the two communities claimed
that Madam Huang often encroached on their lands
with the alleged backing of some armed police and
military personnel.

Claims

Some residents alleged that the Regional
Security Council (REGSEC) ordered the release of
some excavators and a Toyota pickup confiscated by
people of the communities and the regional
security liaison officer.

A copy of the letter directing the release of the
excavators, which was seen by the Daily Graphic,
was dated August 16, 2016.

The letter, which was signed by the Regional
Co-ordinating Director, Mr Kofi Dwumor-Asubonteng,
stated that “I have instructions from the
Ashanti REGSEC to order the release of four
excavators and one Toyota pickup seized and being
kept at Finaso barrier in the Obuasi Municipality
to the owner, Madam Asia Huang.”

The equipment of the Chinese were seized while the
miners were illegally mining close to River Offin,
near Manso Tanokrom.

Release

Explaining why the tractors were released to the
woman, the Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr
Andy Osei Okrah, said although the regional
security liaison officer undertook the operations
in collaboration with a police team, it was
without the knowledge of the REGSEG and so it was
illegal.

He explained that the REGSEC knew nothing about
the activities of Madam Huang and indicated that
the authorities were now investigating her
activities.

Situation

The situation has led to fear and tension among
the farmers.

During a visit to the two communities by this
reporter, it was observed that many acres of
farmland, especially cocoa farms, had been
destroyed through illegal mining activities.

Large dugouts have also been abandoned and streams
that served as sources of water for the people
have been blocked.

Some armed military personnel were also seen
providing protection for mining businesses, which
according to the local people, belongs to “the
powerful Chinese woman.”

Concerns

According to the Odikro of Bepotenten, Opanin
George Anane, the community had been overwhelmed
by illegal mining operations, a situation which
had forced them to walk long distances to get
potable water.

Opanin Anane added that roads they had
constructed through communal labour had also been
destroyed by the heavy earth-moving equipment of
the illegal miners.

He said appeals to the district and regional
administrations to save the situation from further
deterioration had yielded no results until
recently when some security agencies went in to
seize the huge excavators.


The chief said it was after that action that Madam
Huang sent some people to inform the affected
farmers that she would like to dialogue with the
community.

Casualties

For her part, a former Assembly Member for
Bepotenten, Madam Janet Addei-Gyimah, said within
the last three years, six children had died as a
result of falling into the abandoned pits created
by the miners.

Source - graphic.com.gh

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