Asamang Tamfoe Community mining members have refuted claims their mining activities are illegal.
Addressing the media on Monday October 3,2022, Nana Boakye Darkwah, Benkumhene of Asamang Tamfoe and Chairman of the Community mining explained that community mining program was launched in the Asamang Tamfoe community in July this year by the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mireku Duker with support from the Member of Parliament for Atewa East Abena Osei therefore malicious for anyone to claim they are illegal miners.
He questioned the legitimacy of the Okyeman Environmental taskforce in mining regulation regime warning that they will violently retaliate should they dare return to the community again.
“They are not doing galamsey, they are community miners so their arrest were illegal.Those shooting around were left off the hook. The Apapamhene and his gangs were left off the hook, they are the people to be apprehended and arraign before a competent court of jurisdiction not our people, our people were doing legal business, those in the videos who were shooting around are the people we are calling for their arrest not our people.”
Nana Boakye Darkwah called on the Inspector General of Police Dr.George Akufo Dampare to investigate the shooting incident which occured last week.
“Our message to the IGP is that they should take up this case to the national headquarters, they are tasked wielding pump action machines just shooting indiscriminately to the taskforce, I pleading with the IGP to investigate this issue and take the issue from the district, that will help us to resolve the issue ones and for all, because I don’t believe this District and Divisional Commanders. I don’t trust him one bit because he was here when the community mining was inaugurated and he himself turn back and came to arrest our people that we are doing illegal mining so I don’t trust him one bit, I want this issue to be sent to the police headquarters and those cars that are spoilt to be paid for “.
Some angry youth in the community Including the youth leader also vented their displeasure about the operations of the Okyeman taskforce.
They threatened to violently resist them.
The Okyeman Environmental taskforce and the Kibi Divisional Police command on September 29,2022 embarked on alleged anti -galamsey operation at Asamang Tamfoe in Atiwa East District
Police retrieved one pump action gun, two excavators, two water pumps and a battery.
Some of the miners blocked the road to prevent the taskforce from moving out of the community with the excavator and other equipment seized.
The violent resistance led to firing of gunshots as the rampaging youth hurl stones and other dangerous implements.
Some vehicles were shot at and smashed .Some injuries wer recorded.
The shooting incident which occured near a basic school with multiple bullet holes visible on wall close to the school have traumatized the pupils.
Sixteen (16) suspects were arrested by the Police.
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