Illegal miners, comprising both local and Chinese nationals, have taken control of a 261-acre section of the Breman-Adomanya forest in Wassa Amenfi West District.
Their activities have caused extensive environmental damage, destroying cocoa and rubber farms and polluting the River Tano.
Law enforcement in Asankragwa is aware of the situation, which escalated when miners attacked journalists investigating the destruction. Reporters, including Agyemfra Bright (Angel News), Nana Fynn, Akwasi Agyei Annim (Citi News), and Jacob Baah (Rok/Peace FM), had some of their equipment damaged despite being under police protection.
The media team had responded to concerns raised by farmer Isaac Kwasi Bekye about the devastation of his farmland. Initially, four police officers were assigned to protect the journalists during their field investigation.
Upon arrival, a security guard tipped off the miners, who quickly gathered to confront the journalists. Nana Fynn described how the situation grew hostile as the team began documenting the damage.
The miners, allegedly led by Yaw Kurankyi—the purported seller of the land—seized equipment, including cameras, microphones, and a mobile phone. Despite police presence, the miners used a vehicle to trap the journalists, only releasing them after all footage had been erased. Additional officers later arrived, allowing the reporters to return to the station, where they were forced to delete their content. Kurankyi was arrested, and statements were recorded from the journalists.
Isaac Kwasi Bekye expressed frustration with the inaction of traditional leaders and local authorities, urging the government to intervene and stop the illegal mining that continues to wreak havoc on the environment.
Source:DAILY UPDATE
Galamsey operators including Chinese natioals invades 261 acres of land at Wassa West amidst brutalizing Journalists
Illegal miners, comprising both local and Chinese nationals, have taken control of a 261-acre section of the Breman-Adomanya forest in Wassa Amenfi West District.
Their activities have caused extensive environmental damage, destroying cocoa and rubber farms and polluting the River Tano.
Law enforcement in Asankragwa is aware of the situation, which escalated when miners attacked journalists investigating the destruction. Reporters, including Agyemfra Bright (Angel News), Nana Fynn, Akwasi Agyei Annim (Citi News), and Jacob Baah (Rok/Peace FM), had some of their equipment damaged despite being under police protection.
The media team had responded to concerns raised by farmer Isaac Kwasi Bekye about the devastation of his farmland. Initially, four police officers were assigned to protect the journalists during their field investigation.
Upon arrival, a security guard tipped off the miners, who quickly gathered to confront the journalists. Nana Fynn described how the situation grew hostile as the team began documenting the damage.
The miners, allegedly led by Yaw Kurankyi—the purported seller of the land—seized equipment, including cameras, microphones, and a mobile phone. Despite police presence, the miners used a vehicle to trap the journalists, only releasing them after all footage had been erased. Additional officers later arrived, allowing the reporters to return to the station, where they were forced to delete their content. Kurankyi was arrested, and statements were recorded from the journalists.
Isaac Kwasi Bekye expressed frustration with the inaction of traditional leaders and local authorities, urging the government to intervene and stop the illegal mining that continues to wreak havoc on the environment.
Source:DAILY UPDATE
