Residents of Akyem Anyinasin in the Abuakwa South Municipality have renewed their fierce resistance against attempts to introduce illegal mining activities in their community, vowing to protect their farmlands, environment, and water bodies.
The community’s opposition to mining dates back to 2020, when two companies invaded the area to mine without appropriate licenses.
Enquiries at regulatory bodies later revealed that the companies only held prospecting licenses but were abusing them to undertake actual mining.
Following strong resistance from residents which led to the burning of two excavators under the instruction of the community’s chief Nana Appiakorang Agyei II, the Abuakwa North Assembly ordered the companies to halt operation in the community.
However, residents say the situation has resurfaced.
According to them, in July 2025, their chief Nana Appiakorang Agyei II convened a meeting and announced that he could no longer openly resist the miners, claiming he was under pressure and threats from powerful forces to accept the mining or face serious consequences.
Addressing the media on Friday ,Convener of the protest, William Boakye, challenged the chief to name those allegedly forcing him to accept mining in the community.
He insisted that “Anyinasin is predominantly a peasant farming community, and unlike surrounding towns that have been devastated by illegal mining, we remain the food basket of the municipality. We cannot allow mining to destroy our farmlands,” he stressed.
In their petition copied to the Presidency, the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and Okyenhene ,they stated that “we petition your outfit against the fierce attempt by individuals and groups colluding with some of the community leaders to subject the community to illegal mining despite the harsh negative consequences on the general wellbeing of all in the community. This petition is directed to your outfit because you have a say regarding permit and licensing for such activities within your jurisdiction. For the interest of the generality of the community and the municipality that you are superintending over, of course for and on behalf of the people, we petition that your outfit should not grant and/or accept the grant of license or permit to undertake such destructive and dangerous activity in the community”
Meanwhile, the group Save the Nation for Future Leaders, led by President Kwadwo Atta Appiah Korang who joined the peasant farmers in Akyem Anyinasin said illegal mining has become an existential national and global threat.
The group intends to petition not only Ghanaian authorities but also international leaders, including the Presidents of the United States and Russia, to draw global attention to the menace.
“we call it the environmental war, because you see, this destruction, some of the foreigners, because Chinese people are here, Indians are here, and there are other African countries are here. They are not part of this country, but it’s a national security threat.That’s why I use Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.They are international influential people. If they are the front, say something, or they help with the equipment to fight the Insurgency that will be great effort to end galamsey “.
He commended the people of Anyinasin for not relenting on their fight against illegal mining to save their farmlands which is source of livelihood.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
