The National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Ghana, has expressed concern over the continued destruction of the Offin River through illegal mining activities in the Atwema Mponua district of the Ashanti region close to communities, warning that the situation poses a serious threat to water security and the environment.
The association says it has begun a self-financed operation to protect its business interests while supporting government’s efforts to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, and safeguard Ghana’s water bodies.
Speaking to Media, the Director of Operations of the National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association, Ghana, Philip Bawa Ajamujobe, said the move was in response to growing public concerns over the pollution and degradation of rivers across mining districts.
According to him, the exercise started from the Offin River at Adiembra, near the bridge towards Nyinahin, and covered communities including Agogosu, Ntobroso, Enyinam and Akumfere before ending at Tobroso. He added that the operation would continue in the coming days due to time constraints.
Mr Ajamujobe said the team observed widespread destruction of the Offin River, describing the situation as alarming.
He disclosed that the association had removed about 80 mining platforms operating on the river during the exercise, while also identifying excavators and heavy-duty equipment mining close to the riverbanks and discharging mining waste directly into the water.
“We have observed massive destruction of our river bodies, particularly the Offin River, where we have acted before and today. We have destroyed about 80 champion platforms mining in the river bodies,” he said.
The Director of Operations warned illegal miners to stop activities that were damaging water bodies and tarnishing the reputation of responsible small-scale mining operators.
“We will not spare anybody when found,” he cautioned, while urging traditional leaders in affected communities to take action against individuals involved in illegal mining activities.
He expressed particular concern about the level of degradation at Tobroso, where he said portions of the community had experienced flooding due to the impact of mining activities on the river.
Mr Ajamujobe questioned the role of local authorities and traditional leaders in addressing the destruction, saying the extent of damage was difficult for anyone in the community to overlook.
The Offin River, which serves as an important source of water for domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes, continues to face pressure from illegal mining activities, with calls growing for stronger interventions to protect the resource.
The illegal miners upon seeing the anti-Galamsey taskforce dive into the river and left quickly into the forest to avoid arrest while several miners were spotted mining along the River Offin with Excavators busily polluting the once clean river Offin.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Isaac Justice Bediako
