A 261-acre stretch of the Breman-Adomanya forest in the Wassa Amenfi West District of the Western Region has become the latest casualty of illegal gold mining, commonly known as galamsey. The illicit activities, spearheaded by both Chinese and Ghanaian operators, have led to the destruction of timber, cocoa, and rubber plantations, as well as the contamination of the River Tano.
Despite police awareness, these illegal miners continue their operations with impunity, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement in tackling environmental crimes.
On Sunday, February 23, Citi News’ Western Regional Correspondent, Akwasi Agyei Annim, became a victim of this lawlessness when he was attacked by the miners while documenting the environmental destruction. His equipment was damaged in the presence of a police escort, raising further suspicions about possible complicity between law enforcement and the illegal miners.
The attack escalated after a security guard alerted the miners about the journalists’ presence. Led by Yaw Kurankyi, the man allegedly responsible for selling the land to illegal operators, the miners confronted the media team, seizing their camera, microphones, and Annim’s mobile phone.
Kurankyi reportedly verbally abused Annim before using his vehicle to block the journalists’ departure, detaining them until 7 PM. The miners insisted that all recorded footage be deleted before releasing them. It was only after additional police officers arrived that the journalists were allowed to leave—on the condition that they erase their footage at the Asankrangwa District Police Station.
Following the attack, Kurankyi was arrested, and statements were taken from the journalists. However, local residents, like Isaac Bekye, have expressed frustration over the lack of intervention from both traditional leaders and law enforcement authorities.
Bekye highlighted the widespread destruction of cocoa farms, timber, food crops, and water bodies, lamenting that complaints to authorities have been ignored. He also revealed that residents who oppose the illegal miners often receive violent threats.
“The government, particularly the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, must act now. Security forces must be deployed immediately to stop the destruction,” Bekye urged.
When contacted regarding the legal status of the mining companies involved, Clement Adzormah, the Asankrangwa Minerals Commission Officer, declined to comment and referred inquiries to the Commission’s headquarters in Accra.
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