“We Don’t Want Galamsey on Our Lands! Pack Your Equipment and Leave Our Lands” — Angry Asante Akyem Asuboa Residents, Chiefs, and Assembly Member Clash with Sokoro Investment Limited

A wave of anger and resistance has erupted in the Asuboa community in the Asante Akyem South Municipality of the Ashanti Region, as residents, traditional leaders, and local authorities vehemently oppose alleged illegal mining activities being undertaken by Sokoro Investment Limited on their lands.

According to the residents, the mining company allegedly moved into the area and began operations secretly without the consent or knowledge of the Omanhene of Asuboa, Baffour Kwaku Ofori II, and other key traditional leaders. The revelation has sparked outrage and heightened tension within the community, prompting strong calls for the immediate withdrawal of the company and its equipment from Asuboa lands.

Speaking to the media after leading a team of journalists and opinion leaders to the alleged mining site, Mr. Kwadwo Kyereko, Unit Committee Chairman Mr. Kofi Yeboah, and other concerned residents accused Sokoro Investment Limited of invading their lands under false pretenses, claiming to have secured legal authorization for mining activities. They asserted that neither the Asuboa Traditional Council nor the Asante Akyem South Municipal Assembly had granted any official approval for such operations within the community.

“We don’t want galamsey or any form of mining activity on our lands. Sokoro Investment Limited should pack their machines and leave immediately. We will not sit down for anyone to destroy our water bodies and farmlands,” one aggrieved resident angrily told journalists.

The residents, together with their chiefs and elders, have issued a strong ultimatum to the company to appear before the Asuboa Traditional Council by Tuesday to present all legal documents authorizing its operations. They warned that failure to comply with this directive would compel the community to take all lawful measures necessary to safeguard their environment, water bodies, and ancestral lands from destruction.

The Assembly Member for Asuboa Electoral Area, Hon. Michael Hanson, who joined the chiefs and residents in the protest, reaffirmed their collective position that the community is not against genuine investment or sustainable development projects. However, he stressed that any company seeking to operate in the area must do so transparently, lawfully, and in consultation with traditional authorities and the local assembly.

“We welcome development, but not activities that destroy our land and pollute our rivers. Any investor who comes here must follow due process and respect our customs,” the Assembly Member cautioned.

The residents also appealed to the Asante Akyem South Municipal Assembly, the Minerals Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to urgently intervene and investigate the operations of Sokoro Investment Limited. They called for immediate action to halt any unapproved activities that could endanger their livelihoods, water sources, and natural environment.

When contacted for his response, Mr. Alex Osei Kusi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sokoro Investment Limited, denied the allegations of engaging in illegal mining. He maintained that his company operates strictly within the laws of Ghana and possesses the necessary permits to undertake its activities.

“The work I’m doing is not illegal. I’m ready to submit all my legal documents to the traditional authorities for verification. I respect nananom and the people of Asuboa,” he said.

Mr. Osei Kusi, however, admitted that the traditional council had not yet granted full permission for operations to begin. He assured the chiefs and residents that his company was open to dialogue and committed to working in harmony with the community.

He further pledged that Sokoro Investment Limited would reclaim all disturbed lands and undertake environmental restoration activities as part of its corporate social responsibility. “We have plans underway to reclaim the lands and plant palm seedlings to restore them to their natural state. I’m also prepared to undertake corporate social responsibility projects that will benefit the people of Asuboa,” the CEO added.

The ongoing standoff between Sokoro Investment Limited and the Asuboa community underscores the growing tension between mining companies and rural communities across Ghana, as traditional authorities and residents continue to resist unauthorized mining operations that threaten their lands and livelihoods.

Illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey, continues to pose one of the most serious environmental and socio-economic challenges across the Ashanti Region, including communities within the Asante Akyem enclave. The practice has resulted in widespread destruction of farmlands, pollution of major rivers such as the Pra, Anum, and Offin, and the loss of vegetation and biodiversity.

In many affected areas, residents have been deprived of access to clean and safe water, while farmers struggle with declining soil fertility and reduced crop yields due to mercury contamination and severe land degradation. These activities have also triggered conflicts between local communities, traditional authorities, and mining firms, as many groups strive to protect their ancestral lands from exploitation and environmental ruin.

The Government of Ghana, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and agencies such as the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal mining operations. However, the problem persists as some individuals and companies allegedly continue to operate without proper authorization, often under the guise of licensed operations.

The situation in Asuboa remains tense as the community awaits Tuesday’s meeting, where Sokoro Investment Limited is expected to appear before the Asuboa Traditional Council to clarify its position and present all legal documentation. Many residents have vowed to continue resisting any mining activity that threatens the safety of their lands, water bodies, and the future of their children.