Some of the demonstrators
Some residents of Chirano in the Western North Region have rejected outrightly a proposed community mining initiative in the area by a company called Boawoman Cooperative Mining.
The residents have therefore staged a massive demonstration to protest any move to mine in the area, asserting that their farmlands and water bodies could be destroyed.
The protest is said to be a response to an alleged move by some government officials who are insisting that the project ought to begin since it is a government initiative.
The residents have cautioned the company not to attempt any move to start operations to incur their wraths.
Speaking to journalists after the brief protest, Mr. S. N. Benieh, the convener and secretary to the Chirano Community, indicated that the proposed community mining scheme would adversely affect their farming activities and the Subri River in the area.
He explained that in December last year, there was a meeting at the Omanhene’s palace during which it was made known that Boawoman Cooperative Mining was about to start a community mining project in Chirano.
He said at that meeting, it was made clear that the residents did not like community mining in any form.
“However, later we heard that the company held a closed door meeting with some opinion leaders and the media to explain how it plans to begin the project in the area.
“But we still insist that we do not want to see Boawoman Cooperative Mining operating in our community to destroy our water bodies and cocoa farms,” he stated.
He continued, “Most of the water bodies in Western North have been destroyed by illegal miners under the guise of community mining. We can’t allow our cocoa farms, plantains, and cocoyam farms also to go to waste.”
Some of the angry residents also argued that community mining, when allowed in the community, will have a negative effect on their social and cultural lives, which will be worse than the economic gains they will allegedly accrue from such activity.
“The adverse effect of mining seen across the areas where such activities take place does not encourage us to give out our farmlands,” he stressed.
Boawoman Reacts
Meanwhile, the supposed company which intend to begin the community mining project in the area has denied all the allegations levelled against the company.
Manager of Boawoman Cooperative Mining, John Bediako, in an interview with DAILY GUIDE, said he believed that the protest was staged because of some chieftaincy issues in the area.
“There are some chieftaincy issues in this area, and I believe one of the factions was behind the demonstration. We are a legal entity and we will do responsible mining when we start operations,” he noted.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi