The Atronie Traditional Council has accused the Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, of failing to act on repeated warnings about illegal mining activities in the community, saying the delay has allowed galamsey operators to destroy the area’s water bodies and livelihoods.
The Nkosuohene of the Atronie Stool Land, Nana Krampah Hagan, alleged that landguards and members of the Security Coordinating Council prevented the minister from accessing certain areas during a visit and ordered him to get down from his vehicle and walk.
According to him, the minister refused and insisted on using his vehicle to inspect the affected areas.
“When they managed to meet the minister, these landguards were threatening him just like that. They ordered him to get down and walk, but he told them he would not get down and would take his car,” Nana Krampah Hagan alleged.
Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, he said the situation was worrying, adding that even during a visit with the Regional Minister, the illegal miners and landguards made disrespectful comments without any intervention from authorities.
“I was walking with the Regional Minister when these landguards were making unsavoury comments, but the Regional Minister could not say a word to stop their actions,” he alleged.
Nana Krampah Hagan appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to personally visit the area and assess the extent of destruction caused by illegal mining activities.
“We are urging the President to come himself and see what is happening in Sunyani East Constituency. He should not send anyone; he should come and see the damage for himself,” he said.
He claimed that about 80 per cent of water bodies in the constituency had been destroyed due to illegal mining, including the Amama River, which he said serves several communities.
“The big Amama River that serves many communities has been destroyed, starting from Berekum. I want to ask the Regional Minister if he will allow his own family to fetch water from this river. Will he allow it to be destroyed like this?” he questioned.
The traditional leader called for urgent action to protect the remaining water bodies and prevent further environmental damage in the area.
Also read:
- Atronie Traditional Authority rejects REGSEC’s response to illegal mining, demands urgent action
- They threatened to cut our heads — Atronie chief alleges threats from galamsey landguards…
Atronie Traditional Council accuses Bono Regional Minister of inaction despite galamsey devastation
