Concerned youths of Akyem Oda in the Birim Central Municipality of the Eastern Region have raised alarm over what they describe as the escalating destruction caused by illegal mining activities in the area, particularly the pollution of the River Birim.
The youth are accusing some community leaders of allegedly facilitating the entry of people from outside the community, including foreigners, to engage in illegal mining, while residents are left to contend with the environmental consequences.
According to the Concerned Youth of Akyem Oda, the activities have reached an alarming level and are threatening one of the community’s most important natural resources—the River Birim.
The River Birim, they noted, is a major source of raw water for the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) treatment plant, which supplies potable water to residents of Akyem Oda and surrounding communities.
The concerns were raised after members of the group toured areas within the community where illegal mining activities are allegedly taking place.
During the tour, the youth expressed shock at what they described as the extent of environmental degradation and questioned why some individuals in positions of authority would allegedly allow activities capable of destroying the community’s natural resources.
They said the situation was particularly worrying because the consequences of the destruction would not only affect the current generation but could also deprive future generations of access to clean water and productive land.
“It is very sad how some leaders think only about themselves and do not care about the youth and generations yet unborn,” the youth said.
The youth alleged that mining activities are being carried out in areas close to water bodies and other environmentally sensitive locations, resulting in the discoloration and pollution of the River Birim.
They warned that continued degradation of the river could have serious implications for the operation of the local water treatment facility and the availability of potable water to residents.
According to them, the situation should no longer be treated simply as an illegal mining issue but as a potential public health and water security concern.
They questioned how the community could continue to have reliable access to potable water if activities that pollute the main source of raw water are allowed to continue.
The youth also expressed concern about the apparent involvement of outsiders in the alleged illegal mining activities.
They questioned why people from outside the community should allegedly be brought in to exploit the area’s mineral resources while local young people continue to struggle to secure sustainable economic opportunities.
The concerns raised by the youth come against the backdrop of persistent warnings by the Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, over the impact of illegal mining on the constituency.
The MP has been particularly vocal about the destruction of the Birim River and the potential threat posed by illegal mining activities to the local water supply system.
Following an inspection tour around the Sawmill Birim Bridge, Mr Acquah expressed concern over the extent of pollution affecting the river.
He warned that illegal mining operations were getting dangerously close to the local water treatment infrastructure, raising concerns about the sustainability of the area’s water supply.
The MP’s concerns have also formed part of a broader and highly publicised dispute involving the Birim Central Municipal Chief Executive, Solomon Kusi Brako, over allegations connected to activities surrounding illegal mining in the municipality.
The allegations and counter-allegations have generated considerable attention within the constituency, with calls for authorities to establish the facts and ensure that any person found to be facilitating illegal mining faces the appropriate sanctions.
Against this backdrop, the Concerned Youth of Akyem Oda are calling on the government to take immediate and decisive action to halt illegal mining activities in the area.
They specifically appealed for the deployment of the military or other appropriate security agencies to areas affected by illegal mining to stop the destruction and protect the River Birim.
The youth argued that without strong enforcement, efforts to protect the river and surrounding lands could prove ineffective.
They also called on the Ghana Water Company Limited, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Minerals Commission, traditional authorities and other relevant state institutions to work together to protect the river and safeguard the community’s water supply.
The group said protecting the River Birim should be treated as an urgent national and community priority because of its importance to the survival and wellbeing of thousands of residents.
Beyond the immediate fight against galamsey, the youth are also calling for a broader discussion about the economic opportunities available to young people in mining communities.
They argued that young people in Akyem Oda should not be left without sustainable livelihoods while individuals allegedly brought from outside the community benefit from the exploitation of local mineral resources.
The group said any policy aimed at addressing illegal mining must take into account the economic realities confronting young people and provide legitimate avenues for employment and entrepreneurship.
However, they stressed that economic hardship should not be used to justify the destruction of rivers, forests and farmlands.
The Concerned Youth warned that continued inaction could increase frustration among young people in the community.
They urged authorities to act before the situation escalates further, insisting that allowing illegal mining to continue unchecked could make the environmental damage increasingly difficult and expensive to reverse.
The group maintained that the River Birim is a shared community asset that must be protected for present and future generations.
They said they would continue monitoring developments and drawing attention to activities they believe threaten the environment and the wellbeing of residents.
The youth are therefore demanding urgent intervention to stop illegal mining, protect the River Birim and ensure that the Ghana Water Company treatment plant can continue providing potable water to Akyem Oda and neighbouring communities.
They further urged traditional leaders, political leaders, state institutions and security agencies to put aside political and personal interests and work collectively to protect the community’s natural resources.
For the Concerned Youth of Akyem Oda, they say the issue has moved beyond politics and individual interests and has become a question of the community’s future, particularly its access to clean water and a safe environment.
By 1960news.com
