The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, has announced that land reclamation works have begun at the site of the Agenda 111 Hospital project at Adansi Asokwa following the destruction caused by illegal mining activities.
The intervention, he said, forms part of efforts by the government and security agencies to restore the integrity of the project site and safeguard the future of the hospital, which is expected to serve thousands of residents in the Adansi area and surrounding communities.
Dr Amoakohene disclosed the development after recent operations by a joint security task force led to the seizure of mining equipment and vehicles allegedly used in the illegal mining activities.
He said the reclamation exercise would focus on restoring the degraded landscape, filling dangerous excavations and ensuring the land is made safe for the continuation of construction works on the hospital project.
The Regional Minister reiterated the government’s resolve to protect critical national infrastructure from illegal mining, stressing that individuals found to have facilitated or participated in the destruction of the project site would be held accountable.
Appeal for information
As investigations continue, Dr Amoakohene revealed that records from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) indicate that an impounded pickup truck recovered during the operation is registered in the name of a suspect currently being sought by investigators.
He appealed to members of the public to assist security agencies by volunteering credible information that could lead to the arrest of the individual.
“Anyone with reliable information on the whereabouts of the registered owner of the vehicle should contact +233 55 403 2482. All information provided will be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” he said.
Dr Amoakohene reaffirmed the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council’s commitment to sustaining the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, particularly in areas where the activity threatens public infrastructure, water bodies and the environment.
He assured residents that security operations would continue across the region to clamp down on illegal miners while reclamation efforts would be intensified to restore degraded lands.
The minister further urged communities to support the government’s anti-galamsey campaign by reporting suspicious mining activities, emphasising that protecting public projects such as the Adansi Asokwa Hospital was a shared national responsibility.
The Agenda 111 Hospital project at Adansi Asokwa recently came under public attention after illegal miners invaded portions of the project site, raising concerns over possible delays to the completion of the healthcare facility and the environmental impact of the mining activities.
