Upper denkyira east: The Upper Denkyira East Municipality Assembly is set to reclaim all illegal mining sites for agricultural purposes. The Assembly says the move will serve as a source of employment and livelihoods, provide food for the people, and restore hope for the future generation.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. George Anane Coleman, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), stated in an interview that the current incessant crusade against illegal mining activities in the Metropolis was part of the government's resetting agenda. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the perpetrators use their machines to reclaim the land by covering abandoned pits before being driven away from the area. "We will ensure they bear the cost of covering the pits before chasing them out to save the government the huge costs involved in that exercise," he added.
To achieve this collectively, Mr. Anane mentioned that he had instituted a committee of all relevant stakeholders in the area to oversee the initiative. The Assembly is considering exploring irrigation systems and crop diversification to provide employment to the youth interested in agriculture in the area, aiming to improve the standard of living for the people. Despite challenges in ensuring the full execution of the initiative, the government and Assembly remain resolute and committed to reclaiming the lost forest and environment for posterity.
Mr. Anane pointed out that illegal mining in the area was not just an environmental crisis but a systematic threat affecting water, livelihoods, and education. He called on all stakeholders to contribute to empowering communities to ensure enforcement policies are achieved while long-term solutions in sustainable land use and strong local-government partnerships are being devised.
Illegal mining in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality has caused severe environmental and social damage over the years, necessitating collective efforts in its reclamation. Rivers like Offin, Mansi, and Subin have turned yellow and muddy, killing fish, clogging waterways, and endangering aquatic ecosystems. Moreover, arable lands used for rice, vegetables, and cocoa have been overtaken by miners, with mining pits and river diversions disrupting natural drainage and posing disaster risks on communities during the rainy season.
