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Some residents of Adobewura in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region have called on the government to take immediate action to remove illegal miners from the Jimira Forest Reserve.
In a press conference, they warned that failure to do so within a day will result in a demonstration against the government.
Addressing the media, a concerned resident, Nana Anthony Mensah, disclosed that illegal miners have returned to the forest in large numbers despite previous efforts to combat galamsey in the area.
“Some individuals are using politics as a cover to destroy our forest reserves. When the Regional Minister led a taskforce to combat illegal mining (galamsey) in the forest, the miners fled, but they have now returned in large numbers,” he lamented.
According to him over 50 excavators are currently operating in the forest, with approximately 15 different Chinese companies engaged in illegal mining activities. The youth of Adobewura claim they can no longer access the forest due to these activities.
He further explained that the companies operating within the forest reserve insist they have been licensed to mine but have failed to provide any legal documentation to substantiate their claims.
“The illegal miners are armed with guns and other weapons, making it dangerous for those of us who have spoken out against galamsey in the community to enter the forest.
“The companies operating in the forest reserve claim they have been licensed to mine, but they have failed to provide any legal documents to support their claims.” He stated
Frustrated by the continued destruction of the forest, the residents have issued an ultimatum to the government. Nana Anthony Mensah emphasized that if the government, the assembly, and the traditional council fail to address the issue within the given timeframe, they will take to the streets in protest.
“We are giving the government just one day to remove the illegal miners from the forest reserves. We, the youth, could have also gone into the forest to mine and earn money for our daily upkeep, but since it has been designated as a forest reserve, we have chosen not to mine there.”
“If some people are illegally mining in the forest, we are giving the government, the assembly, and the traditional council only one day to address this issue, or we will stage a demonstration against the government.” He said.
Source: Elvisanokyenews.net
