Galamsey: No lands to farm; we’re becoming poor – Amansie Central residents cry out

Residents in the Amansie Central District and neighbouring towns in the Ashanti Region risk losing access to potable water due to the effects of illegal mining activities also known as “galamsey” in the area.

Galamsey activities in Jacobu, Aboabo, Ataasi, Akutuase and other communities have destroyed the lands and water bodies in the area.

The residents in an interview with Kumasi based Abusua FM’s Osei Kwadwo stated that galamsey activities have destroyed cocoa farms while forest reserves have been encroached.

They noted that farming activities in the district have greatly been affected due to lands that have been destroyed by illegal miners, adding that they are in full support of a ban on galamsey.

The Odikro of Fiankoma Nana Boamah Darko II said his people have become lazy because they find it difficult to get lands to farm due to galamsey activities in the community.

“All water water bodies especially “Kowea” have been destroyed by galamseyers. My people have no lands to farm, virtually every land is being mind, a situation that has left my idling about,” he said.

Nana Boamah Darko II, disclosed that the rate of teenage pregnancy in the area has soared following the presence of illegal miners in the community as the young girls are wooed with money by the galamseyers.

He noted that the situation has adversely affected education of young girls in his area.