Residents of Twabidi Beposo in the Ahafo Ano North municipal of the Ashanti region took to the streets adorned in red and black, to protest against illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, devastating their community.

Led by the unit committee chairman, Mr. Opoku John, alongside local residents and farmer, the demonstrators expressed deep resentment towards the sudden encroachment of galamsey activities in their vicinity.

Residents of Twabidi said the continuous activities of galamsey activities will destroy their cocoa farms, water bodeis, and many other natural resources.

They have therefore resolved to kick out any illegal miner from the communities if the requisite bodies have failed to do so.  They have therefore called on the authorities, particularly Otumfour Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene to intervene urgently to avert potential environmental degradation.

The Assembly member of the area Hon. Augustine Fosu, also expressed dismay at the clandestine operations of those behind the galamsey activities. He criticized the lack of proper licensing and transparency, noting that no authorization had been sought from the local assembly before the arrival of the machinery.

"The government of Ghana, led by His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is staunchly against illegal mining," Hon. Fosu emphasized. "We will not allow them to destroy our land and bring about social vices like rape and teenage pregnancies that often accompany such activities."

The assembly member reiterated the community's unwavering position against galamsey, highlighting the detrimental social impacts associated with such activities. He urged the government to swiftly intervene and enforce regulations to safeguard the community's resources and well-being.

Sompaonline.com/Benedict Asante-Yeboah