File photo of a galamsey site
Residents of Manso-Abodom in the Manso-Nkwanta district of the Ashanti Region are up in arms over illegal mining operations near their community’s cemetery.
The residents fear that the activities pose serious health risks and have become death traps for them.
Background
A resident, Seth Nkrumah, alleged that the land on which the illegal mining is taking place belongs to Kusi Paul, the former Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Nkrumah, in an interview on Otec FM’s political show ‘Dwabrem,’ hosted by Doc Cash on Friday, claimed that illegal mining, also known as ‘galamsey,’ has been ongoing in the community for years with the knowledge of the chiefs and elders.
Response from Kusi Paul
Kusi Paul admitted to being the landowner but stated that he sold the land to an operator for GH¢15,000, with GH¢10,000 paid as part payment to the chief of Manso-Abodom, Nana Antwi Agyei.
However, Paul denied that the mining is taking place in the cemetery, stating that it is being done meters away.
Community outcry and action
“Following the community’s outcry, the illegal mining activities, which started about a week ago, have been halted,” according to Kusi Paul.
