Akyem Anyinasin residents reject mining to safeguard farmlands and water bodies

Correspondence from Eastern Region

Residents of Akyem Anyinasin in the Abuakwa North Municipality of the Eastern Region have strongly declared their opposition to all forms of mining—whether legal or illegal—citing threats to food security, livelihoods, and the environment.

At a press conference held under heavy police presence, the convener, William Boakye, described Akyem Anyinasin as the “food basket” of the Municipality, stressing that mining would destroy farmlands, pollute water bodies, and endanger the community’s survival.

He revealed that the chief of Anyinasin, who had previously championed the fight against illegal mining by leading efforts to burn two excavators, now appears to have taken a U-turn. According to him, the chief explained that he was facing threats from powerful chiefs, politicians, and his workplace as a police officer, which pressured him to reconsider his earlier stance.

William Boakye, however, questioned the inconsistencies in the chief’s position and reaffirmed that the community would not accept mining under any circumstances.

William Boakye further disclosed that checks at the Abuakwa North Municipal Assembly revealed that no mining concession has been granted in the area, but a prospecting license has been issued, which he warned could be a gateway to full-scale mining if not checked.

Supporting the residents’ stance, Atta Appiah Korang, founder of the NGO Save the Nation for Future Leaders, emphasised the dangers of mining on water and arable lands. “Two things sustain life the most—water and the earth. If we destroy them through mining, our very existence is at risk,” he warned.

He further noted that he has petitioned world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, to support the global fight against illegal mining.

During a durbar held on Saturday 6, September 2025, under the leadership of the chief of Akyem Anyinasin, Osabarima Atta Appiah Korang, residents expressed deep concerns about the introduction of small-scale mining proposals in the area.

They appealed to government agencies, municipal authorities, and traditional leaders to intervene and ensure that no mining concessions are granted. The residents stressed that protecting their lands is not only about preserving the environment but also about securing the future of generations yet unborn.