Residents of Berekum hits on a demonstration dubbed “Say No To Galamsey” on Thursday, April 22, 2026, beginning from Omanhene’s Park, as chiefs and community members rally against emerging illegal mining activities in the area.

Leader of the demonstration, Osaberima Nana Diawuo Owusu, says the protest has become necessary following reports of galamsey operations in the town, an occurrence he describes as unprecedented.

Speaking in a telephone interview with Ama Konadu on ‘Adea Akye Abia’ morning show at Sompa FM-Sunyani, Nana Owusu stressed that traditional authorities will not sit unconcerned while the environment is threatened.

“This is the first time galamsey is happening in our town. So, we the chiefs won’t just sit and fold our arms without doing anything about it,” he stated. “We’ll not allow any galamsey operations here, neither will we allow community mining in our town unless the government brings a company like Newmont Corporation,” he added.

Nana Diawuo Owusu revealed that the stance of the chiefs against mining activities is longstanding, recalling that decades ago, a mining company was denied access to operate in one of the communities due to concerns over the limited size of Berekumman land and its sustainability.

“We had a company that wanted to come and mine in Kutre No.1 one of our small towns, but we refused because Berekumman land is not large enough,” he noted.

He further expressed concern that those behind the ongoing mining activities remain unknown.

“So far, we don’t know who is behind this mining operations yet,” he said, describing the situation as worrying ahead of the planned protest.

Sompaonline.com/Derrick Djan