Journalist Alleges Military Protection for Massive Illegal Mining in Ghana’s Anwiaso East Forest
A bombshell allegation has rocked Ghana’s fight against illegal mining, with prominent environmental journalist Erastus Asare Donkor claiming that military personnel are actively providing protection for an unauthorized mining operation deep within the Anwiaso East Forest Reserve in the Western North Region.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse, Mr. Donkor revealed that his investigative team has spent months monitoring the site, uncovering not only extensive environmental devastation but also a concerning presence of armed security. “We have been monitoring them for some time now,” he stated, adding, “There are military personnel protecting them. They’ve mounted a barrier manned by fully uniformed soldiers and individuals wielding weapons, parading as national security operatives.”
The scale of destruction uncovered is staggering. Mr. Donkor described the forest reserve as being “massively” impacted, with an area equivalent to approximately 15 football fields ravaged by mining pits and excavators. This illicit activity, he noted, has been ongoing for months within this “secret illegal mining enclave.”
Crucially, Mr. Donkor emphasized the operation’s complete illegality. “I say illegal because we have checked — it’s totally unregistered. The people operating in that enclave do not have any licence whatsoever to be mining there,” he asserted.
The journalist further disclosed that video evidence of the operation and the alleged security involvement has been submitted to the relevant authorities. However, he expressed deep disappointment that, despite this evidence, no action has been taken to halt the destructive activities. This inaction, he explained, is precisely why he felt compelled to bring this information to public light.
The revelation underscores the persistent challenges Ghana faces in combating illegal mining, locally known as ‘galamsey,’ and raises serious questions about complicity and the effectiveness of efforts to protect the nation’s vital natural resources.
Source: http://thepressradio.com
