Scores of Chinese illegal miners have reportedly invaded Ata-Ne-Ata, a farming community in the Asutifi South District in the Brong Ahafo Region.
The Assembly Member of Woromumuso, Atta-Ne-Atta Amanfrom Electoral Area, Mustapha Mohammed, who confirmed this to Citi News, said the Chinese illegal miners were accompanied by some sub-chiefs from the Hwidiem Traditional Council, who are custodians of the land.
“They came here with sub-chiefs from Hwidiem Traditional Council and said the owner of the area is Khadamar Mining Company, and they have released the land out for the Chinese miners to work on.”
He said the illegal miners have also employed some residents to work in the area.
The Paramount Chief of Hwidiem Traditional Area, Nana Appiah Dwaa Boafo II, declined to speak on the matter when contacted.
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, in 2014, revealed that cabinet will soon approve a memorandum that will prescribe severe punishment for illegal miners in Ghana.
However, WACAM, a non-governmental organisation, in the same year revealed that illegal mining activities were increasing in Ghana, despite moves by a Presidential task force to put down the unlawful trade.
“Even installations that are not commissioned, such as Bui and other areas are under threat from Galamsey,” a top official of WACAM, Hannah Owusu Koranteng, stated in April, 2014.
The term ‘Galamsey’ is a Ghanaian slang used loosely to describe illegal mining activities around the country.
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