Aowin Omanhene decries resurgence of illegal mining

The Omanhene of the Aowin Traditional Area in the Western North Region, Beyeeman Tano Kwaw Benbuin III, has bemoaned the return of illegal mining in the area and called on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to take immediate steps to save the area from illegal miners.

He described the situation as "the worsening state ever of illegal mining in the Aowin municipality and other parts of the region.”

He said the current state of illegal mining, popularly called "galamsey" had gone beyond the powers of the military, the municipal assembly and the traditional authority.

"When the ban was placed on small-scale mining, there was stability here but after the ban was lifted, things are worse now.

Our water bodies have been destroyed by the resurgence of galamsey operators who have now become a security threat to us.

"The worst part of it all is that, the illegal miners have destroyed our water bodies and our young girls too.

Now our girls have erected brothels and they ‘service’ the illegal miners.

It is a huge challenge and we need immediate action to clamp down on their activities”.

Tour

The Omanhene made these known when a Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Naana Eyiah, who is on a four-day tour of mining communities in the Western,
Western North and Central regions called on him at his palace yesterday.

The tour is part of a sensitisation programme put in place by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to educate residents of mining communities on the need to seek alternative livelihoods rather than engage in galamsey.

The initiative is part of the second phase of the alternative livelihood programme and is targeted at women and girls in particular.

Galamsey

In early 2017, the government placed a ban on all forms of small-scale mining in the country and lifted the embargo in December, 2018 after almost two years.

The ban followed the devastating effects illegal mining was having on lives and the environment.

A team of the military and police dubbed "Operation Vanguard" was deployed to mining communities to help clamp down on the activities of the galamsey operators.

An Inter-ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (ICIM) was also set up to help sanitise the small-scale mining sector.

The ban was lifted after the ICIM developed guidelines and modalities for the allocation of mining concessions to registered small-scale miners.

Sad news

It was expected that the roll-out of the modalities would address the menace of illegal mining.

However, less than a year after the ban was lifted, there are growing concerns about the resurgence of galamsey.

The Aowin Omanhene said the re-emergence of galamsey in the area was a security concern as there were hundreds of illegal miners who were terrorising people in the area.

"There are suspicions that some chiefs are also facilitating this act, but I want to assure the public that when we get hold of any chief involved in the nefarious activity, we will let the law deal with the one," he said.

Response

Naana Eyiah said the laws of the country would deal ruthlessly with anyone caught in the illicit galamsey trade.

"It’s sad that we are getting this sad report about illegal mining. I want to assure the Aowin Traditional Authority that we will not sleep on this. We will take steps to tackle this situation head-on," she stressed.

The minister urged the residents of mining communities to help deal with people who destroy their land and water resources.

It was observed on the tour that the colour of the Tano River and other water bodies had turned milky-brown.