Tano North chiefs petition Mahama over galamsey destruction in River Tano

The traditional leaders of Tano North Municipality in Ghana's Ahafo Region have called on President John Mahama to take immediate action against illegal mining activities that are damaging the region's forests and contaminating major water bodies, especially the River Tano. These leaders expressed growing alarm over the state of the River Tano, describing it as a critical issue that requires urgent attention from the government.

They criticized the effectiveness of state-led efforts to combat illegal mining, questioning the ability of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and the Blue Water Guards to contain the issue. During a meeting with the Member of Parliament for Tano North, Dr. Gideon Boako, the Adontehene of the Tanoso Traditional Council, Nana Kwapem Peni, warned that the once-clear waters of the River Tano have become heavily polluted, painting a dire picture of the environmental damage caused by illegal mining.

He urged the government to act swiftly to prevent further degradation of the water bodies. The chiefs also criticized what they termed as ineffective law enforcement, citing instances where suspected illegal miners were arrested by residents and subsequently released by the municipal police, a scenario that they believe has discouraged local communities from supporting the national fight against illegal mining.

Nana Oboni Nkrawiri IV, Chief of Afrisipakrom, recounted a specific incident where residents and traditional authorities apprehended illegal miners near the River Tano, only to have them released by the police. He emphasized that such releases could undermine local efforts to protect natural resources and called for stricter enforcement and accountability measures.

Dr. Boako acknowledged the efforts of the traditional authorities in safeguarding the municipality's forests and water resources. He committed to supporting restoration projects aimed at rejuvenating the River Tano and curbing illegal mining activities. However, he also urged the community to broaden their efforts to include those who finance and facilitate illegal mining operations, stressing that the fight against galamsey requires a collective approach from all stakeholders, including traditional authorities, residents, state institutions, and other relevant parties.

As the condition of the River Tano continues to deteriorate, the traditional leaders of Tano North now urgently seek stronger government intervention to safeguard their environment and the surrounding forests.