Agogo youth storm several mining sites, destroys several Chanfangs

Youth from Agogo in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti region have stormed an illegal mining site where several Chanfang machines were operating on local waterbodies, leaving them heavily polluted and nearly destroyed.

The group has called on the National Security to intervene, citing the severe environmental damage caused by the illegal miners.

This move by the youth ponder a significant environmental issue in Ghana, specifically in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti region, where illegal mining also termed as galamsey operations are severely polluting and destroying local water bodies using machinery known as “Chanfang.”

Some of the youth lamented the use of mercury in these mining operations, which, according to them, further pollutes the rivers and water bodies in their area.

The youth from Agogo have taken action by storming the illegal mining site, calling for intervention from the National Security due to the environmental damage caused by these operations.

This response is part of a broader movement against galamsey, which has been recognized as a critical issue.

They destroyed several of the Chanfangs they found on the rivers they visited, threatening to do worse if the activities persist

This activity not only degrades the environment but also poses a threat to the health and livelihoods of the local population, as evidenced by the polluted river water being thick enough to be used as paint, illustrating the extent of contamination.

The government’s response, including deploying naval boats to stop mining activities near water bodies, indicates the severity of the issue, but the persistence of these activities despite raids suggests a deep-rooted challenge that requires comprehensive strategies, such as banning the importation of Chanfang machinery, to curb the canker.

Source: Ghana/otecfmghana.com/Bismark Appiah