An illegal mining operation is said to be ongoing, a few meters away from the main Konongo-Accra highway. The location of the mining site is contaminating the Owere River, the main water supply for Konongo and neighbouring communities.
This situation has sparked outrage among residents of Konongo. Excavators and heavy mining equipment are actively being used within short distances of residents homes, churches, and businesses. Currently, the area has been blocked to conceal the extent of the destruction from highway travellers.
According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Minerals Commission officials, they were only informed about a dredging exercise by the Asante Akim Central Assembly, but are unaware of any mining activities.
A report by Citinewsroom spells out the frustrations of the residents, who cited the continuous destruction of water bodies and farmlands due to illegal mining as a threat to their livelihoods.
Reverend Raphael Oppong, a pastor and resident of Konongo angrily condemned the environmental and social damage inflicted on the community. He said, “It appears like we don’t have leaders in this country. No one can convince me that this illegal mining activity is done at the blind side of local authorities. Look at how the miners are destroying our water bodies with impunity, and no one is calling them to order.”
However, the activity, according to the Minerals Commission and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is illegal because no one has been issued a mining license for that site.
Dawood Abass, Konongo area head of EPA said, “We received a letter from the Asante Akim Central Municipal Assembly that they wanted to undertake a dredging exercise to prevent flooding. So, whatever is taking place there aside dredging activity is illegal since no company or individual has been given the license to mine there. We will visit there and inform the appropriate quarters for action.”
A major cause of concern is a portion of the highway near the illegal mining site, which is caving in and has not yet been repaired despite years of pleas by the community.
