Some journalists in the Ashanti Region who were providing media coverage for an Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) exercise on clamping down on illegal mining in the Obuasi enclave were involved in a vehicular accident on Thursday.
The media personnel had joined the EPA team led by the Executive Director, Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, to provide media coverage for the exercise, which was aimed at clamping down on illegal mining activities in the Obuasi area.
The team had visited the Anwia Nkwanta area on Wednesday to shut down 19 firms that were manufacturing equipment for illegal miners.
The exercise continued the following day on Thursday, and it took them to the Obuasi enclave.
Whilst in the Obuasi area, the team was attacked by some illegal miners, forcing them to retreat.
In the process of retreating, the team was forced to use an alternative route, through the Ayanfuri, Bibiani section, back to Kumasi to flee from the attack, but upon reaching Afari, the vehicle conveying the journalists collided with a KIA truck.
One of them suffered a broken leg and has since undergone surgery. The others are also receiving treatment.
The leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) in Ashanti Region has expressed solidarity with the team.
"We stand in full solidarity with our affected colleagues in this difficult moment. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, their families, and their media organisations," the association said in a statement.
“The safety, welfare, and protection of journalists remain paramount to the GJA, and this unfortunate incident underscores the inherent risks associated with the critical work our members undertake in pursuit of public interest, especially on issues related to galamsey” it mentioned.
The association said journalists will continue to play their watchdog role in bringing national attention to environmental and social challenges, and that their safety needs to be given topmost priority.
Therefore, the GJA called on all institutions that engage the media in field operations, particularly in high-risk areas, to adhere strictly to safety protocols and ensure proper coordination and preparedness at all times.
On his part, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has directed the Chief Executive Officer of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and the Ashanti Regional Health Director to ensure that all affected personnel receive the best possible medical care and to closely monitor their management and recovery.
The Minister also noted that he had been informed of an earlier attack on the same task force by a group of organised illegal miners and further instructed the Regional Police Command to undertake a thorough investigation into the matter.
“Furthermore, the Regional Unit of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has been directed to secure the area, halt all illegal mining activities, and ensure that the perpetrators of the attack and those responsible for the environmental degradation are arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law” the minister indicated.
Writer’s email;gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh
