Sometime in June, when the administrator of the Minerals Development Fund, Dr Louisa Hannah Bissiw-Kotei, embarked on a field trip to Atatam, the scene was horror.
A community ripped apart by activities of illegal mining. Illegal mining in the Adansi Asokwa enclave is rife.
The Subin and Gyimi Rivers have been under constant siege. Behind the Atatam District Assembly Basic School, a deep pit threatened the lives of many children.
“The sound of excavators and chanfan machines disrupts teaching and learning,” a teacher told Evans-Nkum.
The MDF administrator described the situation as a horror: “This is is nothing short of horror; I am devastated by what I am seeing. I am concerned about the psyche of these kids.”
Residents of the community have been living in constant fear due to intermittent attack anytime they show dissent to illegal mining operations. “One day, we were in a meeting with the chiefs discussing the menace, and some thugs banged in to attack us,” a resident revealed.
8 excavators were impounded from three concessions with scores of illegal miners arrested, 6 of them being Chinese.
That was sometime in June.
On Wednesday, the MDF team returned to Atatam to assess the situation five months after the operation.
Reclamation behind the school is ongoing. The national security operatives accompanying the MDF team burned an abandoned chanfan on site.
For the kids, educational materials were provided by the administrator of MDF to enhance academic work
“When we last visited, I spoke to some of these kids, and my heart trembled when I asked them what they wanted, and one of them mentioned gun. It gives a reflection of what they see each passing day. I have come here today to offer them hope, and that is what we stand for. Nananom, the President and my minister want me to assure you that you will be protected and all those threatening your very community will be dealt with. Already, those arrested are being tried. ” Dr Hannah Bissiw-Kortei told a gathering at Atatam on Wednesday.
By Evans Nkum
