JoyNews is observing an alarming trend where illegal mining is increasingly taking place within settlements of major towns and along major highways in the full glare of the public.
At Konongo, Asamang-Tamfoe and Osino, mining is being done with impunity along the main Accra-Kumasi Highway in violation of the Environmental Protection Act 1994, the Mineral and Mining Act 2006 and the Water Resources Commission Act 1996.
The miners have redirected the Oware stream which flows through the town and destroyed large path of the wetlands contaminating the sources of water for the community.
In an interview with some miners on the site, they justified their illegal mining activities.
According to them, the interview won’t go anywhere as nothing could be done about the situation.
They noted that, they would run if any action would be taken blaming the situation on bad management of the country.
“It won’t go anywhere. Akufo-Addo is aware. As the government of Akufo-Addo and Bawumia is spoiling the country, what do they expect us to do? Should we go and steal? Government is supposed to manage the country well for the youth to enjoy,” one miner said.
Another added, “If we don’t do the illegal mining, how would we feed?”
Luv FM’s Erastus Asare Donkor and his team have been travelling along the stretch to assess the situation.
Listen to the full report in the audio above:
Source: Erastus Asare Donkor
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