The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Bosomtwe, Honourable Engineer Abdul Hamid, has summoned the chief and assemblyman of Asuoho Konkoma to account for the devastating environmental destruction that has occurred dangerously close to a school and a health facility in the community.
This reflects the DCE’S bold move to address the persistent issue of illegal mining, commonly known as “galamsey“.
Hon Hamid’s action marks an escalation in the government’s efforts to hold local leaders responsible for the rampant galamsey activities within their jurisdictions.
Engineer Hamid has ordered Nana Oduro Agyei Panin II, the chief of Asuoho Konkoma, and the local assembly member, Aborakwa Stephen, to provide answers on how such large-scale environmental destruction could occur under their watch.
“The traditional leaders and the assembly member have been invited to provide answers on how such large-scale destruction could occur under their watch. Accountability will be pursued to the fullest extent.”
Abdul Hamid
This move underscores the government’s determination to break the cycle of complicity and inaction at the local level, which has often enabled illegal mining operations to thrive.
Galamsey in Bosomtwe
The destruction of illegal mining has had an immense impact on the Bosomtwe district, with devastating consequences for the environment, infrastructure, and the well-being of the local communities.
The recent incident in Asuoho Konkoma has highlighted the urgent need to address this crisis, as mining activities have encroached perilously close to a school and a health facility, endangering the lives of teachers, students, and healthcare workers.
Community members have expressed their fear and concern as the illegal miners have not only invaded buffer lands reserved for these critical facilities but have also dug massive pits near the infrastructure.
The health center, in particular, faces a similar threat, with mining operations reportedly working dangerously close to its premises.
Efforts to Combat Galamsey
The Bosomtwe District Assembly, under the leadership of DCE Engineer Abdul Hamid, has been actively engaged in the fight against illegal mining.
The recent intervention, which led to the summoning of the chief and the assembly member, is the latest in a series of efforts undertaken by the local authorities to address the galamsey crisis.
Earlier, a National Security operation had resulted in the arrest of eight individuals and the seizure of four excavators near the school and the health facility in Asuoho Konkoma. Captain Kwame Jabari, the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, confirmed that the arrested individuals and the seized excavators remain in National Security custody.
However, the ongoing recurrence of illegal mining activities in the area suggests that more comprehensive and sustained measures are needed to tackle the problem effectively.
The DCE’s decision to summon the local leaders underscores the administration’s determination to hold them accountable and break the cycle of complicity that has often enabled galamsey to thrive.
Lasting Solutions
The incident in Asuoho Konkoma highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of the galamsey challenge in the region and the country at large.
While enforcement and crackdowns are essential, the government recognizes the need to address the underlying economic and social factors that drive individuals to engage in these illegal activities.
As the DCE, Engineer Hamid, emphasized, “We cannot sit back while our environment and public facilities are destroyed. The reclamation work has already begun.”
This statement reflects the administration’s commitment to not only hold perpetrators accountable but also to restore the devastated land and ensure the safety of the community’s critical infrastructure.
Moreover, the DCE’s aggressive stance towards the traditional leaders and the assembly member underscores the government’s belief that local-level cooperation and responsibility are crucial in the fight against galamsey.
Summoning these officials publicly sends a clear message that influence and power come with the duty to protect the community’s resources and environment.
As the investigation and reclamation work continue in Asuoho Konkoma, the Bosomtwe District Assembly’s actions serve as a testament to the government’s unreserved dedication to combating illegal mining and restoring the integrity of the country’s natural resources.
This proactive and multi-pronged approach, which holds local leaders accountable, is a crucial step in breaking the cycle of environmental destruction and securing a sustainable future for the region and the nation as a whole.
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