Bekwai residents give Chinese quarry firm one-week ultimatum over blasting, environmental concerns

Residents of four communities in the Bekwai Municipality of the Ashanti Region have given Day Shine Company Limited, a Chinese-owned quarry firm, a one-week ultimatum to address concerns over its blasting activities and alleged environmental degradation.

The residents of Amoamo, Anwiam, Amenase, and Adankrangya issued the ultimatum after embarking on a peaceful demonstration to protest what they described as the company’s failure to adequately manage the impact of its quarrying operations.

The demonstrators, dressed in red and holding placards with messages including “We Are Slaves in Our Own Communities,” “You Devil, Go Away,” “Please Come to Our Aid,” and “Aaah, We Dry,” marched through the affected communities before presenting petitions to the  management of Day Shine Company Limited, traditional authorities, and the Bekwai Municipal Assembly.

They accused the company of carrying out blasting activities without sufficient prior notice, a situation they said had resulted in cracks in buildings, injuries to residents, and damage to the surrounding environment.

Nyhiraba Abigail Opoku, the Assembly Member for the Adankrangya Electoral Area, who led the protest, alleged that repeated blasting by the company had affected several homes and caused injuries to some residents.

According to her, despite the reported damages and injuries, affected residents had not received compensation or adequate support from the company.

She further alleged that the concerns went beyond the impact of blasting, claiming that the quarry’s operations had negatively affected water bodies, farmlands, and agricultural activities in the area.

Abigail said some farmers had experienced difficulties due to alleged pollution of water sources, destruction of farmlands and contamination of crops by chemicals linked to the company’s activities.

She appealed to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the government, and relevant regulatory agencies to investigate the concerns raised and take steps to protect residents, their properties, and the environment.

The Assembly Member stressed that the residents were not against development but wanted mining and quarrying activities to be carried out responsibly and in a manner that safeguards the health, safety, and livelihoods of surrounding communities.

She said the affected residents had given Day Shine Company Limited one week to respond to their concerns and take corrective measures.

Abigail warned that failure by the company to act within the given timeframe would compel the residents to petition the Asantehene at the Manhyia Palace for further intervention.

Some demonstrators also alleged that attempts had been made by certain traditional authorities to prevent them from staging the protest.

They called for an independent investigation into the allegations, including the processes surrounding the establishment and operations of quarry companies in the area.

The residents urged authorities to ensure that quarrying activities complied with environmental, safety, and regulatory standards.

Receiving the petition on behalf of the Bekwai Municipal Assembly, the Municipal Coordinating Director, Philimon Ankoli, assured the residents that the Assembly would engage the relevant institutions to address the concerns raised.

He said the Assembly would consult stakeholders and provide feedback to the affected communities after the necessary engagements.

Source: GNA