Government Told to Honor Galamsey Fight Promises – Akutuase Opinion Leaders Speak Out
Opinion leaders of the Akutuase community in the Asante Akyem North Municipal have called on the government to honor its commitment in the fight against illegal mining, warning that any attempt to initiate mining activities in the area will be strongly resisted.
Speaking to the media on behalf of the entire community, Mr. Kwame Atta Wusu, a leading opinion leader, said the residents of Akutuase are deeply concerned about the environmental and social consequences of galamsey operations.
“We have witnessed the destruction caused by mining in neighboring communities such as Oweriman, Amantena, and Pɛkyerɛkyɛ. Abandoned pits and heavy mining equipment have left the environment in ruins. Now, miners are planning to come to Akutuase, but we will not allow it,” Mr. Wusu stated firmly.
He highlighted the critical importance of the community’s only water source, which serves as the main drinking water for residents. “We do not have portable water except this river and a few boreholes. Allowing illegal mining to destroy it is not an option for us,” he stressed.
The opinion leaders also urged the government to ensure that the fight against illegal mining is not politicized. Mr. Wusu expressed concern that some miners operate in communities without consulting local leaders simply because of political affiliations, a practice he described as disrespectful to the people of Akutuase.
“It is unacceptable for anyone to enter our community to mine without engaging our leaders, merely because they belong to a political party,” he added Warning against allowing Akutuase to suffer the fate of communities like Denkyira Obuasi, where mining activities have destroyed water bodies and farmlands, Mr. Wusu called on the government to respect local leadership and protect cocoa farms from illegal mining operations.
The statement from Akutuase opinion leaders underscores a growing concern among communities in the Ashanti Region, where residents are demanding stricter enforcement against illegal mining to safeguard their land, water sources, and livelihoods.
