Residents of Amakye-Bare pledge to protect farmlands and halt illicit mining.

The people of Amakye-Bare, a farming village in the Ashanti Region’s Atwima Nwabiagya North District, have vowed to oppose any further encroachments and have taken a strong stance against illicit mining. Their determination comes after a community-led initiative to stop recent mining operations that had endangered their environment and means of subsistence was successful. Amakye-Bare residents organised to defend their land when farmlands were destroyed and essential water supplies were contaminated. Since agriculture is the main source of income for the locals, illegal mining has had a disastrous effect on the community.
Large tracts of farmland have been degraded by miners’ unchecked operations, causing some farmers to give up their land.

There is a serious risk to farming and daily life due to the contamination of water sources that are necessary for irrigation and household use.

Farmers and locals protested the illegal miners a few months ago after becoming dissatisfied with the government’ lack of action.

The community finally took matters into their own hands after several farmers were forced to sell their properties.

They boldly defied the miners by fighting with them and burning their equipment, making it clear that Amakye-Bare would not tolerate illegal mining.

Emmanuel Opoku, the chief farmer, expressed grave fears about the possible devastation of the region’s main river, which is the main supply of water for domestic and agricultural use.

He emphasized that the community’s farming would be difficult without access to clean water, resulting in severe economic hardship.

He reaffirmed the community’s dedication to preserving its natural resources, declaring that they would not tolerate the destruction of their sole source of subsistence by unauthorized miners. Opoku said, “No one in this community is in favour of illegal mining.” We won’t let miners contaminate our sole supply of water because every farmer in this area depends on the river for irrigation.

“Our only source of income is farming, and many of us will lose our jobs if we permit illegal mining to continue.” In order to protect their future from the damaging effects of illicit mining, the residents of Amakye-Bare have stated unequivocally that they will protect their land and water at all costs.