The Berekum Citizens Association has urged the government to halt mining activities in the Berekum Traditional Area, citing growing environmental and agricultural concerns.
The association called for the immediate suspension of all mining operations, particularly in Benkasa and Amomaso, warning that continued extraction poses a serious threat to the area’s water bodies, farmlands and public health.
Addressing a press conference, spokesperson Kofi Diabour Kyere said residents were alarmed by the environmental damage caused by both licensed community mining and illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
He said mining activities were degrading rivers, destroying aquatic life and exposing communities to significant health and environmental risks. According to him, the relatively small land area of the Berekum Traditional Area makes it especially vulnerable to widespread environmental degradation.
“The few farmlands available to our people could be destroyed within a short period if these mining activities continue unchecked,” Mr Kyere warned.
The Abusuapanin of the Amomaso community, Abdul Karim Kyeremeh, said security agencies had confiscated excavators and other mining equipment following the intervention of the Bono Regional Minister about two weeks ago.
However, he alleged that the miners had since returned with more machinery and resumed operations. He said the renewed activities had further damaged the Amoma River and other water bodies, while forests and farmlands continued to be degraded.
The association appealed to the government and relevant state institutions to intensify enforcement efforts to protect the environment, preserve agricultural land and safeguard the livelihoods of residents in the Berekum Traditional Area.
Source: Eric Amoako de don maglah, ABN reporter
