Residents of Konongo are getting alarmed over the growing activities of illegal miners in the area.
They are questioning government’s commitment to ending the menace; saying that despite the resources pumped into the fight against galamsey, the illegal activities keep expanding.
Few meters away from the main Konongo-Accra highway, is an ongoing mining operation.
The activity, according to the Minerals Commission and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is illegal because no one has been issued a mining license for that site.
“We received a letter from the Asante Akim Central Municipal Assembly that they wanted to undertake a dredging exercise to prevent flooding. So, whatever is taking place there aside dredging activity is illegal since no company or individual has been given the license to mine there. We will visit there and inform the appropriate quarters for action”, Konongo area head of EPA, Dawood Abass hinted.
The illegal activity easily catches the attention of motorists and passers-by due to the proximity of the site to the main road.
This has left many residents doubting government’s resolve to ending illegal mining, locally referred to as galamsey.
“It appears like we don’t have leaders in this country. No one can convince me that this illegal activity is done at the blind side of local authorities. Our leaders are just not ready to tackle this galamsey menace, so they pretend like they’re fighting it. Look at how the miners are destroying our water bodies with impunity, and no one is calling them to order. Some of us will soon organise and lead a massive demonstration against the duty-bearers” a pastor and resident of Konongo, Reverend Raphael Oppong warned in an angry tone.
For Bertha Nsarko, a mother of two, the war against galamsey is just a charade.
“You will be hearing from the news that government has waged war against illegal mining, but I tell you that there is no war because the illegality keeps advancing”, she said.
Motorists fehttps://3news.com/featured/remember-the-8-years-of-suffering-and-vote-against-npp-mahama/ar the illegal activity if not tackled may affect the highway.
Residents have also warned, they may be forced to take the law into their hands and face off with the illegal miners if authorities do not intervene.
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