GENERAL NEWS

Ashanti Regional Minister cracks down on galamsey, issues 14-day ultimatum

The Ashanti Regional Minister has given a stern two-week ultimatum to individuals engaged in illegal mining in forests and waterways, warning them to vacate these areas or face the full force of the law.

Dr Frank Amoakohene reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the region’s natural resources and fully supporting President John Mahama’s vision of promoting responsible mining.

“Anyone in the forest reserve mining should vacate those places. We are giving them up to two weeks. If you are mining within the forest reserves and you don’t want to be on the bad side of the law, you have two weeks to leave the place,” he declared.

The Minister further revealed plans to rid water bodies of mining activities, stating that his administration is fully prepared to act.

“If you have any investment in the water bodies, polluting the water bodies, you have two weeks to leave. We will send out a team to make sure we restore normalcy within the mining sector,” he warned.

The Ashanti Region has been one of the hardest-hit areas by illegal mining, with forests and rivers continuously under threat despite previous government interventions.

 

Dr. Amoakohene assured that his administration is committed to enforcing a comprehensive strategy to combat illegal mining effectively.

“I am working with other Regional Ministers who equally share tributaries of river bodies with us so we can be holistic with our approach to the fight,” he stated.

Illegal mining has left numerous pits abandoned in mining communities, posing grave environmental and safety risks. The Environmental Protection Authority has already begun enforcement actions, seizing mining equipment from illegal operations.

Meanwhile, Dr Amoakohene addressed the recent violent clash between the military and illegal miners in Obuasi, which resulted in nine deaths.

He assured that investigations are ongoing to ensure accountability and justice.

“Not long ago, nine lives were lost due to a clash between the military and illegal miners. The President issued a white paper, demanding investigations to be conducted into the matter. This will help us protect the people of the area,” he stated.

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

Related Articles

Back to top button