The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Achiase, Mr Samuel Owusu Brako, has said the Assembly has declined three letters from the Minerals Commission concerning proposed mining prospecting activities by three companies since he assumed office.
He said the decision was taken in collaboration with traditional authorities in the Eastern Region district to protect the area from illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Mr Brako explained that accepting the letters could create opportunities for illegal small-scale miners to take advantage of the proposed prospecting activities to operate in the district.
He made this known when he and his team appeared before Parliament’s Local Government and Rural Development Committee yesterday during the consideration of the 2025 Audit Statements of Audit Committees of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
“When I assumed office, Minerals Commission had delivered three letters for us for three companies who wanted to undertake mining prospecting. So, I engaged the chiefs and I made them understand the vision I have for Achiase district of making it galamsey-free because we have issues with potable drinking water,” Mr Brako said.
“So, if we encourage or allow the activities of illegal mining, it means that we are rather increasing our problem. I had to communicate this vision to the chiefs and the people, who bought into the vision and we declined all three letters,” he added.
Mr Brako said the Assembly had also awarded contracts for the construction of 15 mechanised boreholes through the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), while 10 others were constructed last year with grant support from the Government of Morocco.
He explained that the provision of the mechanised boreholes had improved access to potable water in the district and helped reduce the impact of illegal small-scale mining on communities.
He further said the presence of the Achiase Military Barracks had strengthened efforts to combat illegal mining in the district, with the military collaborating with the Assembly in the exercise.
The Committee commended the Assembly for declining the letters, citing the devastating effects of illegal mining on communities and the lives of people in mining areas.
“I think the galamsey-free action must be trumpeted and the President needs to commend you because he wants us to help him fight galamsey,” a member of the Committee, Mr Alexander Akwasi Acquah, said.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
Read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel now! https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAjG7g3gvWajUAEX12Q
