Inhabitants of Sukwei, Dweneho, and Asempanaye located in the Atwima Nwabiagya North and Ahafo Ano Southwest districts of the Ashanti Region have made a plea to Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his intervention in addressing issues of unauthorized mining and illicit land transactions.
As per the inhabitants of these localities, the actions of unlawful miners are causing harm to their cocoa plantations, water sources, and woodlands.
The locals mentioned that the traditional authorities in the region have taken steps to address the issue; however, they require the assistance of the paramount ruler to bolster their efforts.
“As leaders and parents, we want to preserve these lands for the next generation so they will not go hungry. These illegal miners have destroyed our farms, and that has made food crops such as cassava so expensive. That is why we are appealing to the Asantehene to intervene.”
Other traditional leaders and residents accused the Benkumhene and family head of selling land to illegal miners.
Farmers, they claim, have come to the palace to express their outrage over the destruction of their farms and the lack of access to water caused by the destruction of water bodies as a result of illegal mining.
“The main challenge we face is that several farmers from the villages have come to complain to us about not having access to safe drinking water. We invited Benkumhene to come so that we could find a solution to the problems, but he declined. Furthermore, the family head is selling our lands to illegal miners. He’s sold the cemetery, the school grounds, and other properties. We are pleading with the Asantehene to step in. We are going through a difficult time, so we want him to step in.”