A coalition of residents and stakeholders in Berekum in the Bono Region has announced plans to intensify its campaign against illegal mining activities in the area, warning that it will not allow the destruction of lands and water bodies to continue.
The Berekum Environmental Protection and Anti-Galamsey Coalition has called on the government and relevant state institutions to take urgent action to halt what it describes as illegal mining operations being carried out under the guise of “responsible cooperative mining”.
In a statement signed by Kofi Kyere Diabour on behalf of the coalition, the group said it was prepared to “risk everything and do anything it takes” to protect the natural resources inherited from their ancestors.
“We, as a coalition, are ready to risk everything and do anything it takes to wrestle the lands and water bodies our forebears bequeathed unto us from the claws of these greedy guys who are bent on destroying the very future of our generation and erasing the existence of the unborn,” the statement said.
The coalition accused illegal miners of degrading water bodies in the Amomoso enclave and introducing violence into mining communities, leaving residents fearful.
“Making matters worse, these people have imported thuggery into their operational areas, notably the Amomaso and Benkasa enclaves, and are terrorising the indigenes,” it stated.
The group alleged that residents are subjected to searches when accessing their farms and expressed concern over what it described as sporadic shootings within mining communities intended to intimidate locals.
Calls for government intervention
The coalition said previous efforts to engage state institutions after a demonstration and petitions to relevant authorities yielded no meaningful response.
According to the statement, illegal mining activities continued despite earlier complaints, with operators allegedly returning to the area after a military intervention.
The group appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and the government to immediately deploy the appropriate agencies to address the situation.
“We are, with the utmost respect, asking the government of Ghana and our dear President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, to immediately intervene in the situation,” the statement said.
The coalition also expressed concern about the alleged silence of some traditional leaders, the police and the Berekum West District Assembly over the matter.
“The police cannot convince us that they are not aware of the illegalities and atrocities being perpetrated by these galamseyers. Yes, they are very much aware but they are quiet,” it said.
The group also questioned the role of traditional authorities as custodians of the land, saying leadership requires action and accountability.
“We believe that leadership is a responsibility of service rather than a privilege of lordship. We therefore need answers,” the statement added.
Planned demonstration
The coalition has announced a demonstration scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, 2026, under the theme “Stop the Illegal Mining Now” to press home its demands.
The demonstration will begin at the Emmanuel Presby Park in Berekum at 8:00 am.
“This is not just a demonstration. It is the lighting of the flames of a relentless war against galamsey in Ghana as a whole,” the coalition said.
While stressing that it does not support violent confrontations, the group said it would continue to use lawful means to fight illegal mining activities.
“Of course, we don’t believe in aggressive confrontations. We shall, therefore, do everything possible to exhaust all the necessary and available avenues in our quest to stop the illegal mining going on,” the statement said.
The coalition maintained that Berekum remains a peaceful community but warned that its calm nature should not be mistaken for weakness.
“Berekum is a community of peaceful people, but it would be the most colossal miscalculation for anyone to synonymise our peaceful nature as timid. We are not,” it stated.
The group urged residents, Ghanaians and all advocates against illegal mining to join the planned demonstration, describing the fight as a collective effort to protect Ghana’s environment and future generations.
