Esaase galamsey activities raise concerns over water supply, cocoa production and the future of surrounding communities
Illegal mining activities at Esaase in the Abuakwa South Municipality are raising serious concerns among farmers and residents, as the activities are allegedly causing extensive damage to farmlands and threatening a section of the Densu River.
Miners identified as Nana and Asante have reportedly diverted part of the Densu River to facilitate their mining operations, a development that has sparked concern among farmers and residents who depend on the river for their livelihoods.
The affected stretch of the river is said to serve communities and farmers in the area, with some residents relying on the water to irrigate their crops and others using it to spray their cocoa farms.
Farmers fear that the continued destruction of the river and surrounding lands could have serious environmental and economic consequences if urgent measures are not taken to halt the activities.
Cocoa farms reportedly destroyed
The concerns go beyond the diversion of the river.
According to reports from the area, mining activities allegedly being carried out by Nana and Asante have extended into the middle of cocoa farms, resulting in the destruction of cocoa trees in the search for gold.
The development has heightened concerns among cocoa farmers, particularly at a time when the destruction of productive agricultural land through illegal mining continues to threaten farming communities across parts of Ghana.
Residents say the situation at Esaase requires immediate attention from the relevant authorities before the damage becomes irreversible.
Assemblyman calls for concession holders to be held accountable
Speaking to journalists, the Assemblyman for Odumase, Hon. Collins Akonnor, said the responsibility for activities taking place on mining concessions should not be placed solely on miners.
He stressed that concession holders must also be held accountable when illegal activities occur within their concessions, particularly where adequate monitoring is not carried out.
According to Hon. Akonnor, concession holders have a responsibility to regularly monitor their concessions and ensure that mining activities taking place within them are conducted in accordance with the law.
The comments have renewed calls for greater accountability and monitoring of mining concessions in the municipality.
Calls for urgent intervention
Residents and farmers are appealing to the appropriate authorities to investigate the alleged diversion of the Densu River and the reported destruction of cocoa farms at Esaase.
They fear that if the situation continues unchecked, the environmental damage could worsen significantly over the coming years, potentially affecting access to water, agricultural production and the livelihoods of communities that depend on the river and surrounding farmlands.
Stakeholders are therefore calling for immediate action to protect the Densu River, safeguard cocoa farms and prevent further degradation of the environment in Abuakwa South.
Authorities are yet to publicly respond to the allegations involving the individuals identified as Nana and Asante.
