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In a dramatic turn of events, workers at the Tepa-Mfante community mines in the Ahafo-ano North Municipality of the Ashanti Region are expressing their frustration and anger towards the government.
The community miners claim that their legally-operating members are being unjustly targeted, with their equipment being burned and destroyed by the police and forestry guards.
The miners argue that the use of forestry guards to arrest and harass their members was not part of the measures agreed upon during the Commission of the Mfante community mines.
The fallout from these actions has resulted in the destruction of valuable mining equipment, including an excavator, worth millions of cedis, at the mining site in the Mfante community.
At a news conference held at the Mfante site, Romeo Amoateng, the spokesperson for the aggrieved group, issued a stern warning to the government.
They have given the authorities a 2-day ultimatum to address and rectify the issues caused by the alleged harassment and destruction of their equipment, or else they threaten to unleash their wrath.
Central to their demands is a call for the government to clarify President’s directives to the police and forestry guards.
The miners seek transparency regarding whether the President ordered the forestry commission and the police to arrest and burn equipment at the mining site.
The lack of clarity on these directives has fueled the miners’ frustration and resentment.
The group emphasizes that their mining activities are not posing a threat to water bodies, challenging any notion that justifies the extreme measures taken against them.
They argue that their operations are in line with legal regulations and that the government’s actions have not only caused significant financial losses but also jeopardized their livelihoods.
As tensions escalate, the situation highlights the delicate balance between enforcing environmental regulations and safeguarding the livelihoods of legal miners.
The coming days will reveal whether the government heeds the miners’ ultimatum and engages in dialogue to find a resolution that addresses both environmental concerns and the rights of the community miners.
Nana Yaw Owusu/Ashanti Region.
