Residents of four communities in the Bekwai Municipality of the Ashanti Region have given Day Shine Company Limited, a Chinese-owned quarry firm, a one-week ultimatum to address concerns over its blasting activities and alleged environmental degradation.
The residents of Amoamo, Anwiam, Amenase and Adankrangya issued the ultimatum after embarking on a peaceful demonstration to protest what they described as the company’s failure to adequately manage the impact of its quarrying operations.
Dressed in red and carrying placards bearing messages such as “We Are Slaves in Our Own Communities,” “You Devil, Go Away,” “Please Come to Our Aid,” and “Aaah, We Dry,” the demonstrators marched through the affected communities before presenting petitions to the management of Day Shine Company Limited, traditional authorities and the Bekwai Municipal Assembly.
They accused the company of conducting blasting activities without adequate prior notice, a situation they said had caused cracks in buildings, injuries to residents and damage to the surrounding environment.
Nyhiraba Abigail Opoku, the Assembly Member for the Adankrangya Electoral Area who led the protest, alleged that repeated blasting by the company had affected several homes and resulted in injuries to some residents.
She claimed that despite the reported damages and injuries, affected residents had not received compensation or adequate support from the company.
Abigail further alleged that the concerns extended beyond blasting activities, claiming that the quarry’s operations had negatively affected water bodies, farmlands and agricultural activities in the area.
She said some farmers had suffered losses due to alleged pollution of water sources, destruction of farmlands and contamination of crops linked to the company’s activities.
The Assembly Member appealed to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the government and relevant regulatory agencies to investigate the concerns and take steps to protect residents, their properties and the environment.
She stressed that the residents were not opposed to development but wanted quarrying activities to be conducted responsibly and in a manner that protects the health, safety and livelihoods of surrounding communities.
Abigail said the residents had given Day Shine Company Limited one week to respond to their concerns and take corrective action.
She warned that failure by the company to address the issues within the stipulated period would compel the residents to petition the Asantehene at the Manhyia Palace for further intervention.
Some demonstrators also alleged that attempts had been made by certain traditional authorities to prevent them from embarking on the protest.
They called for an independent investigation into the allegations, including the processes surrounding the establishment and operations of quarry companies in the area.
The residents urged authorities to ensure that quarrying activities comply with environmental, safety and regulatory standards.
Receiving the petition on behalf of the Bekwai Municipal Assembly, the Municipal Coordinating Director, Philimon Ankoli, assured the residents that the Assembly would engage relevant institutions to address the concerns raised.
He said the Assembly would consult stakeholders and provide feedback to the affected communities after the necessary engagements.
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