A community-based organization in the Bono East Region has raised alarm over what it describes as a rapid escalation of illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, along the Black Volta River in the Kintampo North Municipality.
In a statement, the Tarbang Development Association (TaDA) said the activities, which have spread across several communities, are posing serious environmental and public health risks and require immediate intervention from government and local authorities.
According to the group, the illegal mining operations have intensified in recent months, expanding from a few locations to multiple communities along the river between Bamboi and Buipe. Affected areas include Gwere, Kandige, Busuama, Yara, Tefoboi, Bewele, and Ntraban.
TaDA noted that while galamsey in the area predates the current administration, the situation has worsened significantly, with new sites emerging as recently as December 2025.
“We are particularly concerned because the situation is escalating rapidly,” the statement said, adding that the inaction of some local authorities, including assembly members, has been disappointing.
The association also expressed concern about the broader impact of the mining activities on food safety and public health. It explained that fish sold in major markets such as Kintampo, Techiman, Ejura, Mampong, and Tamale are largely sourced from Buipe and Yeji/Makango—areas downstream of the affected mining sites.
“If galamsey is happening upstream, then the potential health implications for consumers across these regions are significant,” the group warned.
Efforts to curb the activities have so far yielded limited results. TaDA acknowledged that the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), led by the Municipal Chief Executive, recently carried out an operation in Busuama, leading to arrests. However, the group said the miners returned to the site within days and resumed operations.
The association added that engagements with traditional authorities in Ntraban have not succeeded in halting the activities, despite appeals outlining the environmental consequences. Similar petitions by another youth group, the D3ga Land Association, to municipal and regional authorities have also not resulted in decisive action.
TaDA is now calling on key stakeholders, including the Bono East Regional Minister, the Water Resources Commission, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and the Presidency, to take urgent and coordinated measures to address the situation.
Among its recommendations, the group is urging the immediate deployment of military or specialized anti-galamsey task forces to affected communities, the introduction of performance metrics for local government heads tied to anti-galamsey efforts, and stronger accountability measures for traditional leaders and assembly members.
It also called for community-based monitoring systems and a focus on identifying and prosecuting financiers behind the illegal operations, rather than only arresting frontline workers.
“The time for action is now,” TaDA emphasized. “Swift and decisive measures are necessary to prevent the destruction of the Black Volta River from becoming irreversible.”
Source: www.kumasimail.com
