Residents of Asuoho Konkoma in the Bosomtwe District of the Ashanti Region are living in fear as illegal miners take over the community’s basic school facility and health center.Â
According to community members, the miners have not only encroached on buffer lands reserved for both facilities, but have also dug huge holes near these critical infrastructure.
The residents describe the situation as dire, fearing they might lose both the school and health center due to the mining activities.
Assembly member of Konkomba electoral area, Stephen Abrokwa, says the invasion started two months ago, but his efforts to stop the onslaught have been futile.
“Even this land was reserved for a community football pitch but they have destroyed it all, leaving two schools and a health center at risk,” he said.
According to the assembly members, an anti-galamsey taskforce has been to the community to seize some mining equipment, but the illegal miners have not stopped their activities.
“We are living in fear now, because our only basic school is being taken over by the illegal miners; now they have taken over the school’s land and are working at the school’s premises,” he stated.
According to him, the health center is also under threat, with the miners’ activities taking the operations close to the premises.
“This is our only health facility in the community; if security authorities fail to act, we will soon have no health facility,” he noted.
Community members who spoke to Adom news expressed frustration over the perceived failure of authorities to address the issue despite several complaints.
They are now calling on the regional security council to urgently intervene and stop the illegal mining activities.
“We are on the brink of losing both the school and the hospital to the activities of the illegal mining activities,” observed Stephen Abrokwa, highlighting the urgent need for action to protect the community’s essential facilities.
Source: Joseph Obeng