Okyeman Nifahene who doubles as Asiakwahene, Daasebre Twum Ampofo, his cabinet, and a task force stormed several mining sites at Asiakwa in Abuakwa South in an attempt to arrest illegal miners working along the riverbanks.
However, upon their arrival, some miners fled, abandoning their excavators. For those who did not flee, their excavator keys, gallons of fuel, and generators were seized.
Additionally, several control boards were removed from the excavators left behind by escaping miners, rendering them inoperable.
This move was aimed at supporting the Okyenhene’s fight against illegal mining activities in the Akyem Abuakwa enclave. This was in line with the directives of Okyenhene, Osagyefuo Amotia Ofori Panin, to stop mining along the Birim River’
The initiative by the overlord of the Akyem Abuakwa Traditional Council sought to protect water bodies from pollution caused by illegal miners operating in the area.
Daasebre Twum Ampofo explained that despite numerous efforts to stop illegal miners (galamseyers) from operating along riverbanks, these efforts had been unsuccessful. As a result, they initially decided to set the excavators ablaze when found at the riverbanks.
However, they later reconsidered and chose instead to remove the control boards, preventing the machines from functioning.
The Asiakwa Royal Palace stated that before the seized equipment would be returned to the miners, they must reclaim the destroyed lands and plant rosewood or teak trees to restore soil nutrients for future farming activities.
Daasebre Dr. Twum Ampofo and his cabinet issued a stern warning to miners operating along the riverbanks, instructing them to vacate the sites immediately and remove all their equipment.
He thus warned that failure to comply would result in severe punishment, including the seizure of their machines.
The Asiakwa Apagyahene, Nana Yaw Brobbey, commended the Asiakwahene for taking decisive steps to ban mining along the river and further expressed confidence that if these measures continue, they will yield positive results.
Opanin Bernard Ampomaa Gyamena, whose house is near one of the mining sites, revealed that illegal miners frequently approached residents, offering large sums of money to purchase their homes for mining purposes. This, he noted, one person had succumbed to the offer and sold their house.
“They have pressured me on several occasions to sell my house, but I resisted because I do not want future generations to blame us for allowing illegal miners to destroy our lands and water bodies for their personal gain,” he revealed as stated.
The Okyeman Nifahene and his cabinet expressed gratitude for his stance, acknowledging his efforts in protecting the community and entreating all landowners to follow his example in preserving Asiakwa’s environment.
