Residents of Sefwi Manse, a farming community in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipal Assembly of the Western North Region, are threatening to boycott this year’s general elections, if government fails to stop chinese illegal miners in Anhwiaso East Forest Reserve.
According to them, various governments have totally failed to address their several attempts in fighting against illegal mining, especially at Sefwi Manse.
Addressing the media at a press conference held over the weekend at Manse Community Centre, Abusumpain Ackaah Gyedu said they have spotted fully armed machomen protecting chinse illegal miners in the forest Anhwiaso East Forest Reserve despite the government’s promise to halt illegal mining activities in the country.
He said residents of the community have consequently staged a number of demonstrations to push the government to listen to them and arrest Chinese illegal miners in the area, but to no avail.
The unit community chairman, Mr. Charles Kwame Twum, who spoke on behalf of the youth, accused the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area, Mr. Paul Andoh, Member of Parliament (MP) Mr. Alfred Obeng Boateng, Western North Regional Minister Mr. Rocky Joojo Obeng and Paramount Chief of Sefwi Anhwiaso Traditional Area, Ogyahohoo Yaw Gyebi ll, for not showing any concern in the fight against illegal mining in Sefwi Anhwiaso East Forest Reserve.
“We cannot continue to stay in perpetual fears following the unlawful activities of Chinese illegal miners in the area”
Farmers in the area can no longer go to their various farms due to the presence of armed machomen, protecting chinse illegal miners in the area. He therefore threatened that they will hence not entertain any more intimidation from machomen as election approaches.
Mr. Kwame Twum revealed that a similar situation had led to the death of their beloved youth in the community last year.
He is, therefore, calling on President Akufo-Addo, National Security Minister, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Western North Regional Minister and National House of Chiefs President Ogyahoho Yaw Gyebi ll, to as a matter of urgency to stop the Chinese illegal miners in Anhwiaso East Forest Reserve or they will boycott the upcoming December general election.
By: Daniel Akwasi Nuako,Bibiani
