Galamsey Operators Terrorise Abompe Residents

By: Isaac Akwetey/Chronicle

Instead of using the richly- endowed mineral and oil deposits to our advantage, Africa, of which Ghana is no exception, has generally drawn little benefit from that wealth, leaving many people in poverty, amid fighting and destruction.

Abompe, a farming community near Osino of the Fanteakwa District of the Eastern Region, could be cited as one of the numerous mining communities in Ghana, where the blessing of the mineral deposit has brought about bloodshed and underdevelopment.

Due to its strategic position, one would have thought the farming community would be turned into a paradise, but like any mining community, the development of the area leaves much to be desired.

Illegal small scale mining activities, popularly known as "Galamsey," in the area, has not only raised serious concerns about environmental degradation, but is also fueling an imminent clash between the operators and some displaced residents.

This is a result of daily threats by these unscrupulous individuals, who have engaged the services of "macho men" who subject the residents of the area to beatings, who attempt to challenge the moral and legal rights of their operations.

Residents, who spoke to the Eastern File during a visit to the area, accused the traditional and district authorities for looking on unconcerned, as these operators do their own thing.

They alleged that the operators had been paying some royalties to the traditional council and District Assembly, hence their lukewarm attitude towards bringing the operations to a halt.

According to them, the community hardly accesses good drinking water, since the only stream which serves as source of drinking water has been contaminated with chemicals from the galamsey operations.

They continued that the community’s environment continues to be degraded by the activities of these unscrupulous individuals, who did not care about the repercussions of their activities on the eco system.

The inhabitants also expressed regret over the sharp increase in teenage pregnancy and smoking among other social vices that have greeted the area since the assumption of the illegal mining activities.

They have therefore called on President John Evans Atta Mills, via the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, to address the situation before it degenerates into something fatal.

The traditional authorities would not either deny or confirm, but stated that they had not allocated any land concession to any individual for activities which they think would have a negative effect on the community.

But quickly, this reporter was directed to the District Assembly for clarification, since they were in control of the area.

The District Chief Executive (DCE) of the area, Abass Huseini Sbaabe, confirmed having received reports on the activities.

Speaking to this reporter, he indicated that in order to bring the situation to a halt, his office had formed an environmental sub-committee to control illegal mining and chainsaw operations within the district.

Even though he assured residents in the area of his readiness to address the situation immediately, he called on the traditional authorities to discourage the operations of illegal activities within their respective areas.