Galamsey fight: Pakyi No1. Nkosuohene backs Asantenhene to deal with Offenders.
The residents of Pakyi No I, a town along the Kumasi – Obuasi road in the Amansie West Constituency in the Ashanti Region, have expressed concern about the rate in which illegal mining activities have been destroying properties in the area, despite government’s efforts to combat to the schemers.
Consequently, forest reserves are being destroyed, cocoa farms are being destroyed, and water bodies are becoming laboriously polluted.
At Pakyi Kobri Forest Reserve where the correspondent paid a short visit on investigations mission, it became evident that illegal miners were vigorously engaging in illegal mining operations using excavators and other equipment to achieve their mission.
It was also learnt that almost half of the Kobri Forest Reserve and three acres of cocoa farms have already been destroyed by the illegal miners.
Nana Kofi Amoakohene, the Pakyi Nkosuohene, expressed his deep concern about the escalating issue of illegal mining in the Amansie West Constituency.
He disclosed that many people who are yyyyythe foremost precedence of battling this canker, as directed by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
I strongly back the King for taking rigid measures to get rid of the offenders, especially chiefs who violate the laws and encourage galamsey in their communities.
Nana Kofi Amoakohene placed the blame squarely on the Chief of Pakyi (Pakyihene), Nana Owusu Opoku I, for permitting galamseyers to ravage farmlands and water bodies, despite the lack of development in the area.
He alleged that the Pakyihene himself is involved in this illegal activity, driven solely by his selfish interests.
“Two weeks after Asantehene baning the galamsey activities in the Ashanti Region, Pakyihene sent his Gyaasehene and Akyeamehene to the Kobri forest to make sacrifices for the commencement of illegal mining.
Nana said the galamseyers in the Kobri forest has destroyed almost half of the reserve including some cocoa farms.
But we’ve stopped them. I and my boys have sacrificed ourselves and are determined to fight against the menace”, he told journalists.
Nana Kofi Amoakohene called for immediate action to be taken against the Chief of Pakyi and all those involved in the illegal mining activities.
He stressed that the destruction caused by galamseyers is not only affecting the environment but also disrupts the livelihoods of the local communities.
Nana Kofi Amoakohene urged the government to enforce stricter regulations and provide support for sustainable development in the area, ensuring that future generations can thrive in a clean and prosperous environment.
Attached pictures: Scenes at the galamsey site with Nana Amoakohene Pakyi Nkosuohene been interviewed by journalists.
