Illegal miners have cleared vegetation spanning over forty acres of land in the Anwhiaso-Bibiani Municipality of the Western-North Region.
This extensive area, equivalent to approximately thirty football fields, encompasses farmlands in the Aboabo community, the Anhwiaso River, and sections of the Anhwiaso East Forest Reserve.
Despite the environmental destruction, residents of the Aboabo community seem undeterred and are willing to sacrifice additional farmlands to the illegal miners.
Illegal mining activities, particularly in the Ashanti and Western regions, continue to have severe consequences on land, forest reserves, and water bodies in mining communities across the country.
The Anwhiaso East Forest Reserve, part of the Anwhiaso-Bibiani municipality, has also suffered encroachment by illegal miners in their pursuit of gold.
The Aboabo River and Aframpie River have been significantly affected, with the Aboabo River, a tributary leading to the Ankobra River, being obstructed to facilitate water supply for illegal mining operations.
Chem Samuel, a farmer in the Aboabo community, expressed the difficulty in combating illegal mining due to influential political figures. He appeals to the Minerals Commission and anti-galamsey institutions to enhance measures in addressing the menace in the Anhwiaso enclave.
”Those in support of this menace at Aboabo even said, it would not go anywhere. And an individual like me has no strength, fiance, or military. I would appeal that the government and mineral commission take this up and intensify the fight,” he said.
Municipal Chief Executive Paul Andoh, on the other hand, asserts that the authorities in the municipality have taken proactive measures in combating illegal mining.
He emphasizes that the lack of employment opportunities and the pursuit of development should not serve as justifications for the destructive impact on lands, forests, and water bodies caused by illegal mining.