Western Region: Land reclamation begins in Galamsey-destroyed lands

The Western Regional Security Council (RCC) has begun the reclamation of several thousands of hectors of land and forest reserves that have been stripped bare by illegal mining activities.

The Regional Security Council estimated that total land degradation runs into several thousands of hectres and almost all water bodies in the region including underground water have been affected by pollutants.

The reclamation process, which started last Tuesday in the Ellembelle District with the demolition of several structures is under a joint military/police supervision.

At the time the joint team arrived in the degraded area, several other operators who were working in the bush took to their heels after they had the hint that the security team was around.

The team first carried out a survey, and all the power generators, water pumping machines and other equipment were moved to one location to pave way for the clearing of the illegal structures and reclamation of the land.

Also the Electricity Company of Ghana, which hitherto had extended power supply to the people, also cut supply to the area while earth moving machines moved in to reclaim the land.

Most of the areas were flooded by water from the streams and the underground water due to the open pits.

The process went smoothly; as the operators numbering over 7,000, were taken unaware.

Notable areas of degradation in the region include Ahanta West, Mpohor Wassa East, Tarkwa Nsuayem, Prestea Huni-Valley, Amenfi East, West and Central, parts of Sefwi areas and Ellembelle districts.

Speaking to the Daily Graphic, the Western Regional Minister, Mr E.K.T. Addo said all operational areas of the illegal mining activities by some few people at the expense of the larger members of the community would be halted.

He said after successful operation at Ellembelle, the team would move to another location and that the operation would continue until the whole degraded lands were reclaimed.

The minister said it was important to note that as they were allowed to work with impunity without license, several lives of the citizenry were put at risk.

“Surface and underground water were polluted, the vegetative cover of the country’s forest reserves have been stripped bare just to satisfy the selfish interest of some few people without plan of reclamation,” he said.

He said it was about time that, as a country, issues of galamsey or illegal mining activities saying, “we as people have to choose what is right and acceptable.”

Mr Addo recalled that recently, Ghana Water could not get water at its intake point to treat for public consumption due to the illegal activities on the water bodies in the country.

The level of pollutants, he said, was costing the Ghana Water additional money to treat water to make it potable for the public saying, “water was rationed because the operators had invaded water bodies, in our quest to clear them we lost the lives of two security personnel and this must not be allowed.”


Picture & Story: Moses Dotsey Aklorbortu, Nkroful