“We Will Not Allow Mining to Destroy Our Only River” – Akutuase Opinion Leaders Declare
Opinion leaders of the Akutuase community in the Asante Akyem North Municipal have issued a firm warning against mining activities in the area, emphasizing that their only water source must be protected at all costs.
Speaking to the media on behalf of the entire community, Mr. Kwame Atta Wusu, a leading opinion leader, stressed that residents will not tolerate any operations that threaten their environment or livelihoods.
“We have witnessed the devastating effects of mining in neighboring communities such as Oweriman, Amantena, and Pɛkyerɛkyɛ, where abandoned pits and heavy machinery have destroyed farmlands and water bodies. Now miners are planning to come to Akutuase, but we will not allow it,” Mr. Wusu stated.
He underscored the importance of the community’s only water body, which serves as the primary source of drinking water for residents. “We do not have portable water. Our river and a few boreholes are all we have. Allowing illegal mining to destroy this water source is out of the question,” he added.
p
The opinion leaders also called on the government to honor its commitments in the fight against illegal mining and urged that the campaign be free from political influence. Mr. Wusu expressed concern that some miners operate in communities simply because of political affiliations, bypassing the consultation of local leaders, which he described as deeply disrespectful.
“It is unacceptable for anyone to enter our community and carry out mining without engaging our leaders, just because they belong to a political party,” he noted.
He further warned against letting Akutuase suffer the fate of Denkyira Obuasi, where mining activities have severely damaged water bodies and farmlands. “We urge the government to protect our cocoa farms and respect our community leadership instead of allowing mining activities to destroy them,” Mr. Wusu concluded.
The statement from Akutuase opinion leaders reflects a broader concern across the Ashanti Region, where communities continue to demand strict enforcement against illegal mining to safeguard their environment, water sources, and agricultural lands.
