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Illegal miners (Galamsyers) have commenced operations in full haul near Kwampaw Preparatory School at Osino in the Eastern region, posing danger to the pupils and community, under the bravado that their government is in power, The Inquirer can report.
Stories by Nana Kwame Owusu
What is worst is that after every day’s work, the miners pack their Excavators across the preparatory school in wait for the next day’s task. The mining is done in broad day light under the watch of both the school and community authorities.
Angry community members are threatening to demonstrate against the activity of the illegal miners should the government look on for the galamseyers to destroy their land.
When this paper contacted the miner, Yaw Tik, as the notorious galamseyer is fondly referred to, to query him about why he was mining by a preparatory school, he trashed-talked our scout and quizzed, “You’re a journalist and so what? You are more hungry than I am. Our party is in government o, so don’t mess with me.”
The brazen activity is going on barely four days after the violent clashes between some youth of Obuasi and members of Operation Halt II, a military taskforce deployed to halt all forms of illegal mining activities on AGA concession, killing eight on the spot, attracting condemnations thick and fast.
The Ghana Coalition Against Galamsey (GCAG) is reiterating that “The President must declare a state of emergency over our water bodies & get the military to clear everyone found on the water bodies (mining on the water bodies is illegal)”
“All planned and active mining concessions overlapping with river buffers should be abrogated, and all mining activities within 100 meters buffer of all rivers and streams should be halted immediately by the President. Failure of which the President must implement the full force of Act 995 without fear or favour of political colour and status in society,” GCAG further recommended.
Also, the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) condemned strongly the violent clashes, criticizing the use of lethal force, stating that the military could have employed alternative measures to apprehend the trespassers and bring them to justice without resulting in loss of life.
In a statement issued on January 19, GNASSM said, “The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) strongly condemns the violent clashes that occurred late Saturday, January 18, 2025, between some youth of Obuasi and members of Operation Halt II, a military taskforce deployed to halt all forms of illegal mining activities on AGA concession.”
GNASSM has urged the youth to remain calm as they collaborate with authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and work toward lasting solutions.
More soon
