Residents of Anum Apapam appeal to government to stop illegal miners

Mr Samuel Ayeh-Paye, Member of Parliament for Ayensuano in the Eastern Region, has appealed to government to take serious steps to stop illegal mining in the area.

He said the activities of illegal miners (galamsey) had gravely polluted the River Ayensu posing health problems to the people at Anum Apapam and its environs.

Mr Ayeh-Paye made the called when he toured some communities in the Ayensuano District to learn at first hand challenges being faced by the people.

At Anum Apapam Asuogya, a suburb of Anum Apapam, the galamsey operators had destroyed vast area of lands even to the foundation of houses in the community posing a danger to the inhabitants.

Nana Kwabena Kumah I, Chief of Anum Apapam, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that operations of the illegal miners had brought water problem to the community and that they had been compelled to dig wells or buy sachet water for their household chores.

Nana Kumah said his people decided to demonstrate against the activities of the galamsey operators but the Suhum Police intervened and commended the MP for his visit to know their concerns.

At Otoase,  Nana Kwasi Nyare II, Chief and the Queenmother, Nana Awo Aboamah, complained of a quarry operator who used dynamite to blast stones in Amanfro and Boahenekrom and on Mountain Koran in Otoase and that the quarry activity affected their health.

They, therefore, urged the MP to come to their aid to stop the quarry operator.

Mr Ayeh-Paye said the mountain served as a cover to the river which provided water to more than 20 communities in the district and assured the people that he would take the matter up with the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.

He said the mountain could also be used as tourist site.

Source: GNA