Traditional leaders and residents of Kofi Pare, a cocoa-growing community in the Ayensuano District of Ghana’s Eastern Region, have threatened to withdraw their support for the current government if immediate action is not taken to halt ongoing illegal mining activities in the area.
A mining company, Ignite Mining Limited, has allegedly destroyed several acres of cocoa and sugarcane plantations after entering the community under a prospecting license.
Residents report that the company’s operations have polluted local water sources, including the Ayesu, Surum, and Amanase rivers, which are vital to the community.
Despite strong opposition from traditional leaders and residents, who have declared their area a no-mining zone, the company has allegedly proceeded with mining operations.
According to locals, armed guards have been brought in to secure the site, allegedly using intimidation tactics and firing warning shots to keep farmers from protecting their land.
Eric Awuku Offei, spokesperson for the traditional council, shared the community’s fears with the media, describing how the armed men’s actions have instilled fear among residents.
He emphasized that unless the government intervenes to address the illegal mining, the community may express its frustration at the polls.
“The people entered the farm unlawfully and as we are speaking, the mining is going on and they are also using pump action guns in the community, which is threatening the lives of the people of Kofi Pare and they are also causing environmental degradation and we all know the consequences of the mining in this country.
“We are calling on the government that if measures are not taken to curb the situation over here, the unlawful mining, unlawful prospecting, and unlawful entry into our lands. We will vote against the sitting government.”
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