The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has disclosed that it is engaging the Office of the Attorney-General to seek the dismissal of charges against four Atronsu farmers and community activists who were arrested in 2024 for the destruction of an excavator allegedly used for illegal mining.
The activists were reportedly detained after they were accused of burning an excavator operating in the Atronsu area, where residents have long been resisting illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The machine, according to community accounts, was being used in activities that threatened the local environment and the only available source of drinking water in the area, the Atronsu stream.
Speaking on The Big Issue on Channel One TV on Saturday, April 25, spokesperson for the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Paa Kwesi Schandorf, indicated that the government believes the case lacks merit and should not continue in court.
According to him, discussions have already begun with the Attorney-General’s Department to have the charges withdrawn, stressing confidence that the process will be concluded in the coming months.
“The Minister has given the assurance that the charges will be dropped because, indeed, if you look at the merits of the issue, they were not the ones who were actually doing anything wrong,” he said.
He further explained that the ministry is hopeful the matter will be resolved before the middle of the year, adding that ongoing engagements with the Attorney-General’s office are expected to bring final closure to the case.
“We’ve initiated conversations with the AG’s office, and I want to believe that. I don’t want to give a specific date, but maybe by before we enter the next half of the year, this matter should be over and done with,” he added.
