Residents of three communities, namely Ayiem, Sraha and Juabo, in the Amenfi Central district of Western region on Thursday morning hit the streets of the towns to protest against the destruction of their “Forest Reserve” by Small Scale Miners.
According to reports, government has given a permit to a Small Scale Mining Company to prospect for gold in the Forest Reserve.
But, the chiefs and people of the above mentioned communities say the activities of the Small Scale Mining Company is causing massive destruction to the forest reserve.
Speaking to Fox News, the Assembly man for Ayiem-Sraha Electoral Area, Messiah Rapael, said the Company entered the forest reserve without their consent and are using the military to harass people farming along the forest.
He disclosed that the company has entered the forest reserve with about nine (9) Excavators under the pretext of prospecting for gold.
He noted that if care is not the taken, the entire forest cover will be wiped off within the next few months.
He accused government officials, including the DCE for the area, Hon. Peter Yaw Boakye of high handedness in the matter.
He said they will do everything possible to protect the forest reserve.
