The Atronie Traditional Authority and residents of Atronie have rejected the response of the Bono Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to the destruction of the Atronie Amoma River by illegal miners, describing the Council’s directives as inadequate and contradictory.
In a statement issued on July 30, 2026, the Traditional Authority accused REGSEC of failing to address the environmental crisis despite witnessing the extent of damage caused by illegal mining during its visit to the area.
According to the statement, the Council observed the pollution of the Atronie Amoma River, destruction of farmlands and the impact of illegal mining on the livelihoods and health of residents.
However, the Traditional Authority said instead of ordering an immediate halt to the mining activities, REGSEC allowed the operators time to present licences and other documents while operations continued.
The community questioned the Council’s position on the issue of documentation, recalling that during an earlier meeting with the Bono Regional Minister, it was stated that if the mining activities were legal, the necessary documents would already have been available.
It argued that directing the same operators to submit documents after the destruction had already occurred was inconsistent and unacceptable.
The Traditional Authority also criticised REGSEC for calling on the Regional House of Chiefs to advise traditional authorities against illegal mining rather than taking direct action against individuals involved in the alleged activities.
It maintained that if any chief is found to be involved in illegal mining, the person should be identified and prosecuted instead of creating suspicion without evidence.
The statement further rejected REGSEC’s attempt to link the environmental concerns to an alleged land dispute between Atronie and Wamfie (Mansene), insisting that land ownership issues were never part of the community’s complaints.
According to the Traditional Authority, REGSEC is not a judicial body mandated to determine land disputes and should instead focus on addressing the destruction of the Atronie Amoma River caused by illegal mining.
The community also raised concerns over REGSEC’s directive that mining companies ensure armed security personnel at mining sites are properly authorised.
It said heavily armed individuals guarding illegal mining locations have allegedly intimidated residents and prevented legitimate landowners and farmers from accessing their lands.
The Traditional Authority called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone carrying weapons or operating outside the law.
The people of Atronie said they have lost confidence in the Bono Regional Minister and REGSEC to handle the matter impartially, arguing that the response so far has failed to demonstrate the urgency required in tackling illegal mining.
However, the Traditional Authority acknowledged the intervention of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), whose officials recently visited Atronie to assess the environmental destruction.
It expressed appreciation for NAIMOS’ response but stressed that the gesture should not be interpreted as satisfaction with the situation.
The statement reaffirmed the community’s commitment to using all lawful means to protect its lands, river and environment.
It called on the President, state institutions, civil society organisations, the media and other stakeholders to support efforts to remove illegal miners from Atronie, halt destructive mining activities and restore the Atronie Amoma River and surrounding farmlands.
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