A wave of anger, fear, and determination has swept through the Bono Region enclave as traditional authorities, youth groups, and residents mount a united resistance against the creeping spread of illegal mining widely known as galamsey in the Amomaso and Benkasa communities.
In a dramatic show of solidarity and cultural resolve, hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets on Thursday in a protest that has since reverberated across the region.
Clad in red and black symbols of mourning and resistance the protesters marched through the principal streets of Berekum, their chants echoing a singular message: the land must not fall.
The demonstration, both symbolic and urgent, culminated in the presentation of a strongly worded petition to government authorities and the Minerals Commission, demanding immediate intervention.
At the heart of the uprising lies a growing fear that unregulated mining activities could permanently scar the environment destroying vital water bodies, degrading fertile farmlands, and eroding the ecological heritage of the Berekum Traditional Area.
Placards hoisted high above the crowd captured the depth of public sentiment: “Galamsey breeds incurable diseases,” “Berekum is not ready to import drinking water,” and “We will resist any political influence.” Others carried stark warnings to would-be operators: “If you have bought land for galamsey in Berekum, ‘sika no ahye’.”
Addressing the media amid the charged atmosphere, Nana Owusu Ansah, Chief of Kato and Wirempehene of the Berekum Traditional Area, struck a tone that was both measured and resolute.
“We are not against mining as a legitimate economic activity,” he clarified. “But we will not accept any form of mining that disregards our traditions, destroys our environment, and endangers the lives of our people.”
He emphasised that the protection of ancestral lands is a sacred obligation—one that cannot be traded for short-term financial gain. According to him, the long-term consequences of illegal mining on public health, agriculture, and future generations far outweigh any immediate economic benefits.
The petition, addressed to a broad spectrum of stakeholders including the Members of Parliament for Berekum East and West, the Municipal and District Assemblies, and the Berekum Traditional Council lays out a firm and uncompromising demand: an immediate halt to the issuance of any mining or community mining permits within Amomaso, Benkasa, and surrounding communities.
Youth leaders, visibly unwavering, warned that the demonstration could escalate if authorities fail to act. They vowed to sustain their presence on the streets and physically resist any attempt to move heavy mining equipment into forest reserves for unauthorised operations.
“We will not sit idle and watch our future be destroyed,” one youth leader declared. “If the machines come, we will be there.”
Beyond the chants and petitions, the human cost of the crisis is already unfolding. Ninety-year-old farmer Yaa Kraa, her voice heavy with emotion, recounted how illegal mining has ravaged her farmland her only source of livelihood.
“Galamsey has destroyed what we depend on to survive,” she lamented. “We are suffering. The government must act now.”
Receiving the petition on behalf of Parliament, the Member of Parliament for Berekum East, Simon Ampaabeng Kyeremeh, stood in solidarity with the demonstrators, acknowledging the urgency of their concerns.
He assured residents that their grievances would be carried to the highest levels of government and pledged to push for swift and decisive action.
As tension lingers and anticipation builds, all eyes are now on the Minerals Commission. For the people of Berekum, the expectation is clear: act now, or risk allowing the “Amomaso threat” to spiral into a full-blown environmental and humanitarian crisis.
*Reporting by Daniel Donkor-Bono Region*
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