The Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape (CCAL) and A Rocha Ghana have described the shooting of a young man during a confrontation between illegal miners and a joint security team at Kyebi as avoidable, blaming it on what they describe as the state’s failure to decisively tackle illegal mining.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 13, the environmental groups condemned the alleged lawlessness by illegal miners, saying attempts to obstruct security personnel from carrying out their duties reflect growing impunity within mining communities.
They, however, called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and urged authorities to ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable.
CCAL and A Rocha Ghana also accused government agencies of failing to consistently enforce mining laws, warning that illegal mining activities continue to destroy farmlands, forest reserves, and water bodies including the Atewa Forest, Birim, Ayensu and Densu rivers.
The groups called on the government to deploy intelligence and enforcement agencies to investigate illegal mining activities in Kyebi and surrounding areas, prosecute persons involved, and immediately halt illegal mining operations within the Atewa Forest and along affected rivers.
They further urged authorities to prioritise the Eastern Region in the fight against illegal mining, describing the area as a hotspot requiring urgent intervention.
The organisations said government must move beyond statements and implement practical measures to address what they termed the growing threat of galamsey and its impact on communities and the environment.
