The Former Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, Honourable KT Hammond has raised alarm over illegal mining activities taking place near an abandoned agenda 111 project in Adansi Asokwa, describing the development as a shocking failure of local oversight. Honourable Hammond stated that the operation unfolded in plain sight of key state institutions, raising troubling questions about enforcement and accountability.
Discussing the discovery, the Former MP recounted that he received distress calls from constituents who alerted him to suspicious mining activities on the property. The reports, he said, left him stunned because the scale of the operation suggested it had been ongoing under the watch of authorities.
He indicated that aerial images of the site revealed the proximity of the mining activities to the district police headquarters. The Former MP stressed that the police command building stood only a short distance from the affected area, making the situation difficult to comprehend.
Additionally, Honourable Hammond pointed to the Adansi Asokwa District Assembly building, where the District Chief Executive operates, as another nearby institution. He argued that both the district administration and police command had clear visibility of the area and should have acted much earlier.
“How could we have the District Assembly and Police Command looking on while this catastrophe unfolds? It is completely unacceptable and deeply disturbing.”
Honourable KT Hammond
Against this backdrop, Honourable Hammond said he took immediate steps after realising no decisive action had been initiated locally. He explained that he contacted security officials in Obuasi to request police reinforcement to intervene.
The reinforcement, he noted, moved swiftly to the scene and helped disrupt the illegal operation. According to him, several suspects were arrested and were expected to face court proceedings.
Moreover, he disclosed that preliminary intelligence suggested some foreign nationals, particularly Chinese nationals, fled when security personnel approached the site. Honourable Hammond added that additional names had surfaced, although he preferred to verify the information before publicly identifying anyone.
In highlighting the abandoned infrastructure at the centre of the encroachment, the Former MP revealed that the project, valued at several million cedis, was nearly complete before work stalled.
He stated that the facility reached nearly 90 percent completion and was expected to be delivered in the first half of 2025. Honourable Hammond warned that continuous encroachment could worsen the damage and deepen public loss.
Public Pressure Mounts Over Hospital Abandonment And Oversight Failures
Honourable KT Hammond also criticised the abandonment of the hospital project, arguing that the stalled facility represents a painful setback for healthcare delivery in Adansi communities. He suggested that the unfinished structure has become vulnerable to destruction due to official neglect.
Addressing the healthcare implications, the Former MP noted that Adansi Asokwa and surrounding communities lack adequate medical facilities. He explained that many residents depend on facilities in Obuasi and Fosu for essential healthcare services.
In light of this, he described the hospital project as a major opportunity to improve access to healthcare within the locality. Honourable Hammond said residents had anticipated its completion because of the expected impact on public health.
“We do not have sufficient medical facilities in our locality. This hospital offered hope and was meant to transform healthcare access for our people.”
Honourable KT Hammond
Analysing the timing of the illegal mining activities, Honourable Hammond indicated that the encroachment appears to be recent, estimating it must have begun within the last month.
He explained that during a recent visit to the area, there were no signs of mining activity. This observation, he said, suggests the operators moved in quickly and exploited weak supervision.
Furthermore, Honourable Hammond questioned the boldness of those involved. He argued that such confidence often points to organised backing and deeper networks.
“People do not become this bold without protection somewhere. When operations happen this openly, organised networks are usually behind them.”
Honourable KT Hammond
Similarly, he revealed that some individuals had already attempted to distance themselves from the operation after arrests were made. Others, he added, were reportedly pleading innocence while investigations continued.
Referencing the environmental risks created by the encroachment, Honourable Hammond warned that the mining activity threatens a key water source serving the Obuasi municipality.
He explained that the nearby dam is essential for water supply in the area. Damage to the ecosystem, he said, could trigger severe long term consequences for surrounding communities.
Moreover, the Former MP linked the issue to Ghana’s wider battle against illegal mining. He argued that the persistence of galamsey continues to weaken environmental protection and undermine public confidence in enforcement.
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