Residents of Esaase Appeal to Otumfuo to Intervene and Halt Mining Plans Near Their Historic Waterfalls
The residents of Esaase, a community in the Juaben Municipality, have appealed to His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, Asantehene, to intervene and halt plans to undertake mining activities near their historic waterfalls. The community has raised serious concerns about the potential environmental, social, and economic consequences of such mining operations, warning that they would devastate their natural heritage and threaten the livelihoods of residents.
In a passionate call to action, members of the Concerned Youth of Esaase, who are leading the campaign, held a press briefing to publicly voice their opposition to what they described as encroachment by mining interests. They emphasized that the waterfalls, along with the River Kwartemaa and Oky3ade3—two vital water sources—are essential to the daily lives of the people and must be preserved at all costs.
Emmanuel Boateng, Administrator of the Concerned Youth of Esaase, expressed the frustration of residents, stating that the community would not stand by while its resources and heritage were endangered. He noted that any mining in the area would lead to irreversible environmental damage, pollution of water bodies, and the destruction of the community’s vision to develop the waterfalls into a major tourism destination.
Some women in the community echoed these sentiments, voicing fears over the impact of polluted water on household health, farming activities, and livelihoods. They stressed that access to clean water is already a challenge in many rural areas, and mining could worsen their situation, creating long-term health and economic hardships.
Supporting these calls, Opanin Akwasi Akwaboah, Mmrantiehene of Esaase, appealed directly to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II and other traditional leaders to safeguard the land, cocoa farms, and rivers from exploitation. He described the waterfalls and surrounding environment as a cultural treasure deeply tied to the identity of the people, insisting that they must be protected for future generations.
In an effort to secure a sustainable future for the community, Esaase has begun engaging the Ghana Tourism Authority to develop the waterfalls site into a vibrant tourist hub. Residents believe that tourism development would provide long-term economic opportunities for the Juaben Municipality, create jobs, and attract investment without compromising the natural environment.
The resistance of the Esaase community reflects a growing national debate over the balance between resource exploitation and environmental conservation, particularly in regions where agriculture and clean water remain the backbone of local livelihoods. Residents remain resolute in their fight, vowing to protect their rivers, lands, and cultural heritage for generations yet unborn.
