A community called SE, near Ekoso in the Atiwa West district of the Eastern region are demanding urgent government action to stop an illegal miner who has destroyed over 80 acres of cocoa and food crops in the area.
The destruction has polluted water bodies, threatening the livelihoods of farmers and food security in the area.
According to some concerned farmers, the illegal miner, identified as Williams Addo, was arrested on July 25, 2026, but the Atiwa West District Police Commander has allegedly directed the affected farmers to produce land documents before proceeding with prosecution.
“This is unacceptable,” said Nene Kwabra Tsu, an opinion leader in the community.
“The police should focus on prosecuting the illegal miner, not shifting the burden to the victims.”
The farmers claim Addo has been mining without a valid license, using mercury and cyanide to extract gold, and has threatened landowners with death.
The impact of galamsey is devastating, with rivers like Seabre, Owurabo, and Birim heavily contaminated.
Experts warn that toxins can linger for over 1,000 years, affecting soil and crops. With poor cocoa yields and financial pressure, some farmers are selling family lands to miners.
The Atiwa West district is facing food importation and agro-processing factories are collapsing due to lack of raw materials. The farmers are calling for urgent action against Addo and all illegal miners in the area.
“Any survival that affects the environment is unsustainable,” said Nene Kwabra Tsu.
The community has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Eastern Regional Minister, Minerals Commission, and other authorities, highlighting the generational food crisis threat posed by galamsey.
15 ‘galamseyers’ arrested for doing illegal mining near Sanso primary & JHS at Obuasi
By David Nenebi Ayertey
