Yaase royal cemetery destroyed by illegal miners

Illegal gold diggers have reportedly destroyed a royal cemetery at Yaase, in the Ashanti Region.

They miners used excavators to collect and destroy the top soil of the cemetery. As a result, human skulls were reportedly littered around the cemetery, a development that has shocked the residents.

When The Chronicle visited the place, we observed that some of the top soil collected by the illegal miners had been washed onto the nearby cocoa farms.

River Adunsu, which serves as the source of drinking water for the Yaase community and beyond, had been polluted by the illegal mining activities.

Reached on phone for his comment, Nana Fobi Gyan Kwarteng II, the chief of Yaase, asked this reporter to come and meet him personally for a detailed discussion on the issue.

“I am glad that you heard something about me and you have called, but I would plead with you to come over so that I can explain things to you. Today, I am attending a meeting”, he said.

According to Nana Gyan Kwarteng II, he has been summoned to a meeting by the Adonten Divisional Council at Roman Hill over the same issue.

The Assembly member for Yaase electoral area, Mr. Patrick Ahimah, confirmed the destruction of the royal cemetery to The Chronicle.

“I know about this, but per my understanding, galamsey is the use of excavators and other implements in water bodies, destroying lands and properties, but with this one, they were only removing the black soil and I queried them about where they would get water from.

When asked if he informed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the clearing of the cemetery since it could affect the health of residents, Patrick Ahima responded in the negative, saying “To be honest with you, I did not do that. It escaped me.”

He also confirmed the exhumation of skulls in the cemetery, saying the issue is before the Adonte Traditional Council of the Manhyia Palace.

Asked if he was aware of the Mineral Law, which says if a mineral is found at a particular place, it belongs to the state, he responded that “I do not want to commit myself, the issue is before the Adonten Division of the Manhyia Palace, so I do not want to delve into it.”