Akyem Asuom youth demand land reclamation, proper mining practices

The youth of Akyem Asuom have issued a firm demand to illegal miners operating in their community to restore the land and follow proper mining practices.

This call comes as the community faces severe environmental degradation from unregulated mining activities, commonly referred to as ‘galamsey.’

The open pits left by illegal mining operations pose significant hazards, including the risk of accidents and contamination of local water sources.

By insisting on land reclamation and proper documentation, the youth of Akyem Asuom are advocating for a more sustainable approach to resource extraction.

They are open to dialogue and negotiation, provided that the miners commit to following legal and environmentally sound procedures.

The youth of Akyem Asuom are determined to protect their land and ensure that any mining activities benefit the community without compromising its future.

Dominic Ofori Forson, the incoming Asafoatse of the community in an interview on the Point of View on Channel One TV underscored that “What we want is for them to reclaim the land. They should cover all the pits they have dug.”

“After that, they can sit with us and show us the documents they have to mine in this community. If they will use the right way to do the mining, we will sit with them and negotiate.”

Meanwhile the Akyem Asuom youth stormed a galamsey site and forced the miners to cease operations.

The Kontihene of the area, Nana Boadi Amponim Obodade III, revealed that despite numerous written complaints to security agencies and the Minerals Commission, there has been no official response to their pleas for intervention.