Illegal gold mining operations, led by Chinese and Ghanaian nationals, have invaded a 261-acre section of the Breman-Adomanya forest in the Wassa Amenfi West District of the Western Region.
This incursion has resulted in widespread environmental degradation, including the clearance of valuable timber, cocoa, and rubber plantations, and the pollution of the adjacent River Tano.
The illicit gold mining activities have persisted unchecked, despite being on the radar of local law enforcement.
In a disturbing escalation, the miners turned violent on Sunday, February 23, assaulting Citi News’ Western Regional Correspondent, Akwasi Agyei Annim, as he attempted to expose the environmental devastation through his reporting.
The situation took a volatile turn when a security guard tipped off the miners about the journalists’ presence.
Yaw Kurankyi, reportedly the mastermind behind the sale of the land to the illicit miners, led the group in confronting the media team.
The miners forcibly confiscated their equipment, including the camera, microphones, and correspondent Akwasi Agyei Annim’s mobile phone.
Yaw Kurankyi subjected Akwasi Agyei Annim to a barrage of verbal insults and then used his vehicle to barricade the journalists’ path, effectively holding them hostage until 7 PM.
The miners insisted that the journalists delete all recorded footage as a condition of their release.
However, the standoff ended only when additional police personnel arrived, after which the journalists were permitted to leave, with the understanding that they would delete the footage at the Asankrangwa District Police Station under police supervision.
Isaac Bekye, a concerned local resident, voiced his exasperation over the inaction of traditional leaders and law enforcement agencies, which has allowed the illicit mining operations to continue unchecked.
Isaac Bekye highlighted the devastating environmental consequences, citing the widespread destruction of cocoa farms, timber, food crops, and water sources, which has ravaged the once thriving landscape.
He lamented that repeated appeals to authorities have fallen on deaf ears, and that individuals who dare to challenge the miners are met with intimidation and threats of physical harm.
He called on the government, specifically the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, to take immediate action and deploy security personnel to stop the rampant environmental destruction.
He appealed to the government to dispatch security forces to combat the ongoing environmental degradation, with the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources playing a key role in this effort.
