Tarkwa farmland owners cry foul over threats and attacks linked to galamsey takeover bid
Two residents of Wassa Fiase in Tarkwa, Mr Everet Agyepong and Madam Benedicta Owusu, are appealing for urgent intervention amid fears of losing their 44-acre farmland to illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey.
The pair claim that one of their relatives, allegedly in contact with illegal miners, is attempting to sell off the land—which was inherited from their late grandfather—without their consent. The land, according to Mr Agyepong, has documented ownership and was legally willed to him and his cousin, Madam Owusu.
Narrating their ordeal, Mr Agyepong said the issue took a frightening turn on April 28, 2024, when he received a threatening phone call from an uncle demanding they relinquish the land.
"The call was aggressive in tone and made us feel intimidated and pressured,” he recounted. “On May 20, 2024, my cousin and I were attacked by two unknown masked men on the land during a site visit. I nearly lost my life; my cousin sustained an injury to her right eye, and I had injuries on my left knee.”
He added that the assailants fired gunshots, one of which narrowly missed him, as he managed to flee. “I believe this threat and these attacks occurred because my uncle wanted to take control of the land for himself, knowing the land has gold in it, and planned to do illegal mining or sell it to illegal miners, disregarding our rightful inheritance,” Mr Agyepong said.
The two victims received initial treatment from a local nurse before being referred to the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Hospital for further medical attention.
They have since lodged a formal complaint with the police, and investigations are ongoing.
The incident highlights the growing tensions between traditional landowners and illegal miners in parts of Ghana's Western Region, where galamsey operations continue to pose severe threats to farmlands, water bodies, and community safety.
Mr Agyepong and Madam Owusu have called on authorities to intervene to prevent the unlawful takeover of their land and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
