The Western Regional Minister has ordered an urgent manhunt for a galamsey operator who is alleged to have dug holes just meters behind the New Cooperative Academy in Wassa Gyapa, after a viral video exposed the danger to pupils.
But here is the twist. The school’s headteacher says that video is old, recorded in November 2024.
3news’ Ewurama Smith reports that the mining activity is right behind the New Cooperative Academy at Wassa Gyapa.
According to school authorities, the site existed before the school was built, though it was much smaller then.
The headmaster, Daniel Ndegoh, said the footage in question is from November 2024.
“The school came and met the site, but it wasn’t as big as it is now. They have been in operation for more than six years. I don’t know whether it’s legal or illegal—we came and met them. As time went on, they scaled up their operations, and we saw the waste coming to the school.” He mentioned.
Mr. Ndegoh says the school, the EPA, the then Municipal Chief Executive, and the miner all agreed in 2023 that mining activities would not threaten the children and adds that the miners have actually vacated the site for the past year.
“At the beginning, we went to the EPA at the municipal assembly. We sat down with the miner and reached a consensus that they would not let their activities affect the school. So for the past year, I haven’t seen them on site. As I said, it’s an old operation, and they have stopped.” He added.
The Western Regional Minister and Chairman of the Regional Security Council, Joseph Nelson, after assessing the situation, has directed the Municipal Security Council to immediately search for the miner and reclaim the degraded lands.
“”It is a concern to me that a mining company whether legal or illegal would operate as close as this to any settlement. Even though currently there are no activities there, I have directed that the mining holes that have been left open must be filled immediately.
The District Commander and the Municipal Chief Executive are going to ensure that whoever did this is found and brought to the site to correct this problem that has been created behind the school.” The Minister stated.
Mr. Nelson has also sent a strong message to anyone contemplating similar activities. He assures parents that the safety of the school children is a priority.
“The school and the children here are safe, and we have given them every assurance that should anyone reappear to do anything on this site, they should call the police for immediate action.” The Minister assured.
By Ebenezer Atiemo
