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Residents of Amakye-Bare in the Atwima Nwabiagya North District of the Ashanti Region have taken a firm stand against illegal mining, vowing to resist any future attempts after successfully thwarting a recent incursion through a strong community protest.
Illegal mining has devastated farmlands and poses a significant threat to the community’s vital water sources, which support both domestic use and agricultural activities. As a small farming community, Amakye-Bare relies heavily on agriculture and informal jobs for survival.
Months ago, farmers and residents united to oppose illegal miners who had already ravaged large tracts of farmland. While some farmers were coerced into selling their lands, the community took decisive action, clashing with the miners and setting their equipment ablaze after repeated pleas for intervention from authorities went unanswered.
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Emmanuel Opoku, a chief farmer in Amakye-Bare, expressed concerns over the potential destruction of major rivers and the threat illegal mining poses to their livelihoods.
He stressed that the community depends on a major river for irrigation and household use and vowed to protect it at all costs.
“No one in this community is enthused with illegal mining activities in this area. All the farmers here rely on the major river for their farming activities. We will not allow people to destroy the only source of water we use for our farming activities. There is no job in this community except farming, and allowing illegal miners to carry out their activities will push many out of business,” he declared.
During a visit by Channel One News, a reclamation exercise was underway to restore lands damaged by illegal mining. The chief of the area, who was reportedly leading the exercise, denied any knowledge of those responsible for the mining activities or any personal involvement.
Despite these efforts, residents remain sceptical and determined to safeguard their environment. Ama Serwaah, a resident, underscored the dangers illegal mining poses to the Barekese Dam, which supplies water to Kumasi and other parts of the Ashanti Region.
“Illegal mining will bring trouble to us in this community. The Barekese Dam is just close, and the activities of illegal miners threaten its survival. That is the water we drink from, and we use it to also cook the local kenkey for sale.
“It is the same water we also use to cultivate our maize, and when it is polluted, it will affect everything. That is why we are declaring war against the chief that we are not going to allow the illegal miners to carry out their activities in this area,” she asserted.
Another resident, Awo Sama, reaffirmed the community’s commitment to fighting illegal mining, stating that they had always been aware of its negative effects. She accused illegal miners of attacking the youth in the area out of frustration over the destruction of their mining equipment.
“Growing up, I have always learnt about the negative effects of illegal mining, and we will not do it in this community. The major business community is the local kenkey, which is sent to the various cities, including Kumasi, to sell. Illegal miners will only pollute our rivers, and it will affect people who consume the local kenkey. They continue to attack the youth in this area because they claim their mining equipment has been destroyed.”
Following the community’s confrontation with the miners, one young resident was arrested. The case is currently before the Kwadaso District Court, but community members insist the accused is innocent and are demanding his release.
The people of Amakye-Bare have made it clear that they will not relent in their fight against illegal mining, citing the grave consequences it could have on their farmlands, water sources, and overall well-being.
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