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In the serene town of Dannso, nestled within the Bosome Freho District of the Ashanti Region, a storm of discontent is brewing among the residents.
The source of their frustration, the community mining activities that have taken root in their midst, leaving a trail of environmental degradation and economic distress.
The alarm was first sounded on November 22, 2023, when the Minerals Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, spearheaded by Hon. George Mireku Duker, the Deputy Minister, officially launched a community mining initiative in Dannso.
However, far from being welcomed with open arms, this endeavor has triggered a chorus of disapproval from the local inhabitants.
Residents, disheartened by the negative impact on their livelihoods, have united to voice their concerns and are now appealing to the revered Ashantehene Otumfuor Osei Tutu II for intervention.
The once vibrant and lush landscape of Dannso is now marred by the scars of galamsey, with the ancient forest and the life-giving River Dane suffering the most.
Mr. Kwaku Tawiah, popularly known as Ahoufe and acting as the spokesperson for the concerned group of Dannso residents, spoke passionately to the press.
He decried the wanton destruction of their ancestral forest and the pollution of River Dane, highlighting the imminent danger to the environment.
The rallying cry against the mining activities was underscored by a collective determination to resist further encroachment on their land.
“Some residents feel that the authorities have taken the law into their own hands, deciding to sacrifice our precious forest for short-term gains.
“We stood against it before, but the issue went dormant. Now, they have returned, threatening to destroy our crops and disrupt our way of life once again,” declared Mr. Tawiah.
The residents argue that the community mining initiative, meant to benefit the country, is causing irreparable harm to Dannso.
The plea is not just to halt the ongoing activities but to safeguard the future of their community and protect the vital resources that sustain them.
As the residents raise their voices against this perceived menace, the fate of Dannso hangs in the balance, awaiting a resolution that balances economic interests with environmental preservation.
Nana Yaw Owusu/Ashanti Region.
