The Bono Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has directed all mining companies operating in the region to submit their operational licences, permits and relevant statutory documents for verification following concerns over the pollution of the Atronie River in the Sunyani Municipality.
The directive follows a viral video by the Chiefs of Atronie alleging that illegal mining activities had polluted the river. The Council, after reviewing the video, visited the site together with the chiefs to assess the situation.
In a statement, REGSEC said the chiefs indicated that the Atronie River flows from the direction of Anomaa, suggesting that the pollution may have originated upstream.
To safeguard the region’s water bodies and facilitate the restoration of the affected river, the Council resolved that all mining companies operating within the Bono Region must submit their licences, permits and other relevant statutory documents for verification by Monday, August 3, 2026.
The Council warned that companies that fail to comply with the directive would face sanctions under the applicable laws of Ghana.
REGSEC has also tasked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Water Resources Commission (WRC) to jointly conduct and submit a comprehensive assessment report on all legally recognised mining companies operating in the region within two weeks.
The Council further directed the Regional House of Chiefs to engage traditional authorities who may be directly or indirectly associated with illegal mining activities and caution them to desist from such involvement.
It also instructed mining companies that engage armed security personnel at their operational sites to ensure that such personnel are duly authorised and that all firearms deployed are properly licensed in accordance with Ghana’s laws.
REGSEC noted that the ongoing land dispute involving the traditional areas of Wamfie-Mansen, Sunyani and Atronie appears to be a significant factor contributing to tensions surrounding mining activities in the area.
The Council therefore encouraged all parties involved to seek an amicable and lawful resolution to the dispute.
Additionally, REGSEC reaffirmed its commitment to working with the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) to intensify efforts to identify, prevent and eliminate illegal mining activities and their environmental impact in the region.
The Council also called on District Assemblies to adequately equip and deploy Blue Water Guards within their jurisdictions to strengthen surveillance and enforcement efforts aimed at preventing pollution of rivers and other water bodies.
REGSEC assured residents that it would continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, collaborate with regulatory institutions and support coordinated enforcement measures to protect water bodies and forest reserves across the Bono Region.
READ:
Parliament scraps excise tax on locally made fruit juices
MTN Ghana completes Mobile Money business spinoff to scale fintech unit
