Anger is rising among residents of Pekyerekye in the Asante Akyem North Municipality, Ashanti Region, following the invasion of illegal miners and the widespread destruction of farmlands.
Illegal mining has ravaged rice farms, while nearby cocoa and maize farms—the mainstay of residents’ livelihoods—are under serious threat.
Miners have excavated large portions of farmland in search of gold, leaving deep pits that pose serious dangers to lives.
In creating access routes to mining sites, the illegal miners have also graded and destroyed acres of cocoa farms without the consent of the farmers. Residents fear that the use of mercury, cyanide, and other harmful chemicals could pollute rivers and streams relied upon for domestic use and irrigation.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Kwabena Frimpong, Convener of the local youth group, declared Pekyerekye a “NO-GO AREA” for all forms of illegal mining.
He warned that residents would use every legal means to resist such activities, emphasising that the community cannot trade its lands for the harmful effects of illegal mining, which include skin diseases, respiratory conditions, and other long-term health complications, particularly among children and pregnant women.
Mr. Frimpong highlighted the environmental impacts of illegal mining, including uncovered pits that pose death threats, soil erosion, loss of vegetative cover, and destruction of biodiversity.
“Let this serve as a final warning to all illegal miners and their sponsors to stay away from Asante Akyem Pekyerekye lands.”
He called on the District Chief Executive (DCE) and the area’s Member of Parliament (MP) to take immediate action to halt illegal mining, and urged chiefs and traditional leaders to safeguard stool lands.
He also appealed to the Minerals Commission, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and security agencies to intensify monitoring and strictly enforce mining regulations.
Residents condemned a viral video in which the National Democratic Congress Constituency Chairman, Chairman Abagi, was allegedly heard encouraging illegal mining, warning him to desist or face their wrath.
They also cautioned the Police Commander for the district to focus on stopping illegal mining rather than targeting residents protecting their lands.
Additionally, the community has called on the Asante Akyem North Municipal Assembly to urgently cover the pits left by illegal miners.
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