Joseph Agyekum is the District Chief Executive of Ellembelle
Joseph Agyekum, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Ellembelle in the Western region, has directed that all excavators in the district be tracked, compiled, and registered with the assembly.
This move aims to curb the rampant use of excavators in illegal mining activities. He issued the order when he met the Ellembelle District Police Command.
Speaking at the meeting after the engagement, the DCE disclosed that forms would be designed to gather information on ownership, purpose, destination, and location of the excavators in the district.
“Registration forms will be designed to gather information on ownership, purpose, use location, and destination of excavators”, he said.
“Forms will be monitored and retrieved weekly. Identification Stickers will be issued to registered excavators”, he added.
He urged the police officers in the district to support the initiative.
He said the directive is in line with the Lands and Natural Resources Minister’s vision to stop illegal mining in the country.
Joseph Agyekum, who expressed worry over the destruction of farmlands and pollution of water bodies in the district by the previous government, stated that the directive would promote responsible mining.
He further stated that the Ellembelle district would continue to be a no-go area for illegal miners and called on the good people of Ellembelle to be directly involved in the fight against illegal mining in the area.
The initiative will commence on Monday, May 12, 2025.
