Apostle Kofi Nkansah Sarkodie
The General Overseer of Open Arms Ministries in Kumasi, Apostle Kofi Nkansah Sarkodie, also known as Saint Sark, has called on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to take firm action against sub-chiefs who continue to defy his directives against illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, April 8, Saint Sark warned that the persistent involvement or negligence of some traditional leaders in galamsey activities is damaging the reputation of the Ashanti Kingdom and endangering future generations.
He stressed that urgent intervention is needed to protect lands, water bodies, and livelihoods, noting that the environmental destruction being witnessed across the region is alarming.
Saint Sark, who leads Open Arms Ministries in Kumasi, further urged state institutions and security agencies to intensify enforcement against illegal miners, insisting that strict punishment would serve as a deterrent to others.
Recent reports from 2024 to 2026 show that the Ashanti Region remains one of the hardest-hit areas in Ghana in terms of environmental degradation and disaster impact, largely driven by illegal mining, as well as fire outbreaks and road accidents.
Data from the Forestry Commission of Ghana indicates that over 4,900 hectares of forest reserves in the Ashanti Region were destroyed by illegal mining activities as of late 2024.
In 2025, about 70 percent of identified mining sites across key regions, including Ashanti, were found to be illegal. Forest reserves such as Apamprama, Offin Shelterbelt, and Oda have all suffered severe environmental damage.
The destruction has also extended to farmlands and water bodies, particularly in the Manso enclave, where large portions of agricultural land have become unusable. The Offin River has also been heavily polluted, raising concerns about water safety and public health.
Saint Sark warned that without swift and coordinated action from traditional leaders, government authorities, and local communities, the long-term effects of galamsey could become irreversible.
FROM David Afum, Kumasi