A group of concerned youth and farmers from Sefwi Atronsu, a farming community in the Western North Region, will protest today against illegal and community mining activities that they claim threaten their livelihoods.
The protesters accuse the local chief of complicity in permitting these detrimental practices.
Lead Convener Japhet Danso highlighted the negative impact of illegal small-scale mining, known as galamsey, on their crops during an interview with Yawa News.
The practice has led to severe environmental degradation in Ghana, contaminating water sources, destroying farmland, and jeopardizing the community’s livelihoods.
Despite government efforts to combat illegal mining, the issue persists, raising concerns about its long-term effects on the nation’s natural resources.
Recently, the government set ablaze 18 chanfan machines used for illegal gold extraction along the Birim River, which has suffered extensive pollution from galamsey activities.
However, reports indicate that many miners fled upon receiving a tip-off before authorities arrived, temporarily halting their operations.