The 11th of August, 2021 at 10:00 GMT at the forecourt of the Fanteakwa South District Assembly, the Eastern Regional Minister met with the various Traditional Authorities, the Small and Large Scale mining companies in the presence of the heads of Department of the Assembly and the mining sub-committee. This was to have an open and frank discussion on the resumption of mining in the District and the expectations required of the mining companies.
Addressing the gathering, District Chief Executive; Hon. Kwasi Adjabeng Ntori, said he is elated that this meeting is taking place, since, the mining activities taking place in the District has been an albatross hanging round his neck. And the operation that halted the activities was a welcome relief to him. Now that the activities have started, he was becoming worried and so welcomed wholeheartedly this engagement for the ground rules to be set and for enforcement to have the free hand to do their work without let or hindrance.
The Osinohene, Osabarima Otu Darko IV, speaking on behalf of the chiefs gathered enumerated conditions upon which they would accept the resumption of mining in their communities. Key amongst them were :
- For Environmental Protection Agency to involve the chiefs of the communities in which the mining companies require permits, in the permit acquisition process.
- The type of permit being granted should be made known to the Chiefs.
- Consignees should be made known to the chiefs
- They asked that the security situation in the District be improved since the armed robbery cases have increased. They further suggested that police posts be created at Juaso, Abompe, Nkankama/Nsuta, like has been done at Bosusu, and, a district command created for the district.
The minister in addressing the gathering explained that we are spirit beings and everything on the earth has some spirit in it and as such we need to respect and revere everything and everyone. In this light he said we have no business destroying our water bodies, environment and forests just because we want to make money. He said though he is now having this meeting, and, has not yet reopened the mining activities in the District, he is well aware of the resumption of mining activities by some of the companies, but, warned them to be responsible in their activities and remember the hardships they have faced in the past four months that they have not been able to engage in any activity.
He reiterated that no mining activity is to occur 100 metres from any water body or forest body or farm, and companies are to reclaim the land when they are done mining. He warned the miners to be wary since the enforcement officers will be coming to check those engaged in illegalities and no one should expect leniency and mercy from anyone or any sector. He pleaded with the chiefs to send the message back to the indigenes to desist aiding illegal mining activities in the communities because they will be seriously dealt with.
He observed that when visitors enter the communities it is the indigenes that lead them to the mine areas and so they cannot turn round to blame the visitors, more so when they accommodate them in their homes in the community. He ended by stating clearly that ‶Operation Halt″ is still in full force.
The Regional Environmental Protection Agency Officer and the Regional Minerals Commission Officer explained the guidelines regarding the acquisition of permits and in addressing the question on setting up office in the District and recruiting officers to reduce the workload on the department, they said the processes have begun and they have opened office in Anyinam so with time there will be a presence in the District.
Regarding the question on reducing the buffer from 100m to 50m and legally allowing the miners to divert the course of the water bodies, the minister asked that the first adhere to the current laid down instructions, and then follow up by writing through the appropriate channels for consideration. With the Hon. Minister; Seth Kwame Acheampong, were Mr. Joshua Quaye-Sowah(Regional Director of Minerals Commission), Mr. Addo-Okyire(Regional Director of E.P.A.), Mr. Abeiku Dennis; Assistant Director at the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, Mr. Edward Osei Owusu Spokesperson to the Hon. Minister(I.S.D.), and some press.
The Hon. Minister also held a closed door meeting with staff of the Assembly where he the staff to continue to work assiduously to maintain and improve the ranking of the District in the Nation as this will contribute to the efforts he is putting in place to improve the Region’s ranking from its shambolic current state.
In attendance were the Hon. Kwasi Adjabeng Ntori(DCE), Osabarima Out Darko IV(Osinohene), Abompehene, Nsutamhene, Bosusuhene, Saaman-Juaso Sanaahene, Ankobea hene of Dwenase, Heads of department of the Assembly and staff, the Managing directors of Kibi Goldfields, Transeco, Narawa, Atop mining and their staff as well as other small scale mining companies.