On Monday, July 5, representatives of the Ghana Government went ahead to cut tapes for community mining in Kwawblay (kwabre) a small community near Nuba in Jomoro and also in another community in Ahanta West all in the Western Region of Ghana.
In Jomoro, not only is Kwabre and its environs the bread basket of the people, it is said to be a critical area, and any mining there would pose a major threat of flooding to all the central parts of Jomoro.
Many citizens of Nzema are worried, and rightfully so, especially given the devastation that mining in Ghana (community and or legal and illegal, alike) has caused to many rivers and communities in Ghana. The very names mentioned in this "project", George Mireku Duker of Tarkwa Nsuaem and Kwasi Bonzoh of Ellembelle have already presided over extreme destruction in their respective communities. Watch the accompanying video.
What makes this even more concerning is that just last week, we at Galamsey Action Group had sent solution proposals to the government that offers several job creation options. The proposal enjoins the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to pause all small scale mining in Ghana for 2 years to give itself time to get a hold of the devastating situation facing the country. Read our proposal here, and watch a summary of our key points here
We join the people of Nzema, especially the youth and all well meaning Ghanaians to reiterate the need to put a hold on ALL small scale mining in our communities. We have seen what the so called Community Mining in Ghana has done in many communities, and cannot watch another one go the way of the rest. I hope you join us too. Please share. Thank you very much.