Madam Juliet Amofa , Kweku Boateng and other members of the Akyem Dwaso Youth addressing the media
The youth of Akyem Dwaso in the Fanteakwa District of the Eastern Region have asked the government to immediately stop BSP Mining Company from operating in the area.
The youth have accused the mining company of destroying their farmlands and are threatening to stop the company from operating if government does not intervene.
They expressed their anger also at Kyebi Goldfields that they alleged had given the concession to the said mining company.
The Dwaso Youth made the disclosures during a press conference in Accra.
“When we contacted our chief and elders, they told us they were unaware of the operation of the company in the area,” the Youth Chairman, Kweku Boateng stated.
He claimed that BSD Mining has been operating illegally in the area for the past four months resulting in the destruction of their water bodies and farms even though the ban on illegal mining had not been lifted by the government.
“Later we were told that it was Kyebi Goldfields that gave them the concession to work on and so we invited the authorities of Kyebi Goldfields to discuss the issue but it yielded no result.”
Kweku Boateng said the major concern of the youth is that, the miners are destroying their farms which support their livelihood.
“The major occupation of us, the youth in the area, is farming and if our farms are being used to mine, where do we stand and how do we feed our families?
“We know the ban on illegal mining has not been lifted and we want the Minister of Natural Resources, Mr Peter Amewu to come out and explain to us if indeed he is aware of the operations of BSD Mining and what benefit will the affected youth get from their activity.
“If by two days, nothing is heard, we shall stop them ourselves,” he threatened.
Adding his voice, the Asafoatse of the town, Charles Biah stated: “Most of us are farmers and our farms are being destroyed as a result of their activity and since the current president is from the area, we expect him to investigate the issue and settle it once and for all.”
Madam Juliet Amofa, secretary to the Dwaso Youth also lamented about how the cost of foodstuffs has increased in the town as a result of the activities of the illegal miners in the area.
“Since our farms are being used for mining, we are unable to cultivate the land and have to buy foodstuffs outside our town and those whose farms are not affected are selling their produce to us at higher prices,” she said.
By Linda Tenyah –Ayettey
(lindatenyah@gmail.com)