President Akufo-Addo and his appointees are under fire as illegal mining, or galamsey, continues to devastate Konongo in the Ashanti region, leaving the community in environmental ruin.
Critics are calling out the government’s failure to address the situation, with growing calls for accountability and action.
Alhassan Suhuyini, Deputy Ranking Member on Parliament’s Lands and Forestry Committee, has been particularly vocal, demanding the immediate dismissal of the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Konongo.
In an interview on TV3’s Ghana Tonight Show, the Tamale North MP stated, “How come the District Chief Executive is still at post 24 hours after this came to light? The president and the government must be ashamed. There have been several instances of embarrassment as far as this menace is concerned.”
The illegal mining operations have severely polluted the Owere River, the primary water source for Konongo and surrounding communities.
These galamsey activities, occurring perilously close to homes, businesses, and churches along the Kumasi-Accra highway, have sparked outrage among locals, who are alarmed by the use of heavy machinery such as excavators in residential areas.
“The mining is wreaking havoc on the community,” said the Head Pastor of the New Life Church of Light, summing up the frustration felt by many residents.
Authorities from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minerals Commission have denied prior knowledge of the galamsey operations, claiming they were only informed of a dredging project initiated by the Asante Akim Central Assembly. This apparent lack of oversight and transparency has fueled further anger and distrust among the public.
Residents accuse local authorities of negligence, pointing to the continued destruction of vital water bodies and farmlands. Many believe that leaders are deliberately concealing the extent of the damage, with reports suggesting that views of the devastated areas are being obstructed from the main highway. Additionally, the community has voiced concerns over a long-deteriorating section of the highway near the mining site, which has gone unrepaired for years despite repeated complaints.
As the crisis deepens, concerns are mounting over the government’s ability to effectively regulate mining activities and protect the environment.
The people of Konongo, supported by critics like Suhuyini, are demanding urgent intervention from the highest levels of government to halt the destruction and hold those responsible to account.