Escalating illegal mining activities in Konongo’s Northern Ashanti Mines concessions poses a substantial threat to electricity supply in parts of the Ashanti and Eastern Regions.
GRIDCO pylons within the Mines’ operational area are vulnerable due to relentless galamsey operations.
A visit to the concession of Northern Ashanti Mines that habour a GRIDCO sub station, one can see exposed electricity pylons that could come down anytime soon rending communities to be in blackout.
The situation if not checked could pose a security threat to life and property as some workers of the Mines that wanted to remain anonymous noted that, the situation is a grave concern to management of the company and locals.
“These galamsey activities is a bother to us all, we are worried. It is destroying lands, it’s now destroying some state assets including ECG & GRIDCO lines.
“Why is the powers that be not dealing with this galamsey menace, we are worried. I know my bosses are also worried. The locals in konongo are also worried something must be done” our source retorted.
Northern Ashanti Mines company, which is a duly registered and licensed mining entity located at Konongo Odumase in the Asante Akyem Central Municipality of the Ashanti Region has been battling the activities of illegal mining popularly known as galamsey in its concession.
Despite the Mines’ security task force’s interventions, the situation remains critical, with security agencies, including Asante Akyem Central Security Council (MUSEC) and Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC), struggling to effectively address the issue.
Influential individuals backing these operations maintain significant control over local security, intimidating the Mines personnel and issuing threat on a daily basis, putting fear in the workers, and jeopardizing their safety.
Recent attacks on the Mines’ task force have resulted in casualties and property damage. A potential confrontation between galamseyers and the Mines’ task force is forecasted for Thursday, 10th October 2024, highlighting the urgent need for robust strategies to combat Ghana’s illegal mining.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
