Residents of Sefwi Atronsu in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai municipality of the Western North region have rejected illegal mining (galamsey) and are calling on the government to establish a responsible community cooperative mining scheme.
According to the residents, illegal mining poses a serious threat to their farmlands, rivers, and the future livelihoods of the community. They believe that adopting a regulated cooperative mining model would create employment opportunities while protecting the environment.
Speaking to the media, some residents said responsible cooperative mining would provide decent jobs for the youth, boost the local economy, and offer skills training to equip young people for sustainable livelihoods.
They noted that unlike illegal mining, responsible mining would ensure proper land reclamation after mining activities and safeguard water bodies from pollution.
The residents have therefore appealed to the Government, through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, to consider Sefwi Atronsu for its cooperative mining programme.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief of Sefwi Atronsu, Nana Kwabena Appiah II, the Sanaahene, Nana Agyanim Boateng, said the traditional authorities and residents are united in their opposition to illegal mining and will not allow galamsey activities in the community.
He welcomed the government’s flagship cooperative mining and skills training programme, describing it as an initiative that would empower communities to own and participate in responsible small-scale mining while creating sustainable employment for the youth.
Nana Agyanim Boateng said the chiefs and people of Sefwi Atronsu are fully committed to supporting the programme because it will protect the community’s land and rivers, generate jobs, increase government revenue, provide benefits to the traditional authorities, stimulate the local economy, and promote development.
He appealed to the by Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to establish a cooperative mining scheme in Sefwi Atronsu to eliminate illegal mining activities and create meaningful employment opportunities for the youth.
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