Dormaa won’t be haven for galamsey — Dormaahene
The Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Dr Agyemang Badu II, has warned that his office, in partnership with security agencies, will intensify monitoring and crackdowns to ensure that Dormaa does not become a haven for illegal miners.
He said that with the devastating effects of illegal mining being seen in the impacted areas, his traditional area would resist any attempt by the illegal miners to extend their criminal activities to Dormaa.
"Illegal mining continues to pose grave threats to farmlands, rivers, and forests, which sustain the lives of thousands in the communities where these criminal activities are taking place.
We will not allow this to happen in our traditional area," the Dormaahene stated.
This was after he spearheaded a decisive operation against illegal mining activities in the Dormaa Traditional Area as part of renewed efforts to protect the environment and safeguard community livelihoods.
Operation
The exercise, undertaken in collaboration with the Dormaa Anti-Galamsey Task Force and traditional leaders, was carried out at Dormaa-Akwamu, Akontanim, and Kobedi areas identified as emerging hotspots for illegal mining.
The task force arrested three suspects and seized seven water-pumping machines, as well as other mining equipment used for the unlawful activities.
The suspects and confiscated items were handed over to the police for further investigations and prosecution, marking what local leaders described as a critical step in enforcing the law and deterring others engaged in galamsey.
Existential threat
Osagyefo Agyemang Badu II further called on residents to support the fight by providing information on suspicious activities, stressing that protecting the environment is a collective duty.
He added that traditional leaders remain committed to safeguarding the interests of future generations by confronting galamsey head-on.
Dormaahene stressed that the issue of galamsey is a time bomb, waiting to explode, as already, several lands had been degraded, causing deforestation, while water bodies had been polluted with toxic heavy metals and chemicals, which now pose serious health threats to communities.
"We all need to come together to fight this menace, so let's not harbour these criminals. Let's report them or alert the traditional council and security agencies.
"The impact of the devastation they are causing can never be corrected by the so-called money they make from galamsey," Osagyefo Agyeman Badu II stressed.
