E/R: Illegal Mining Destroying Cocoa Farm Roads In Ankaase – Cocoa Farmers Cry out

Cocoa Farmers of Akyem Ankaase in the Atiwa East District in the Eastern Region Cry over the menace the almighty Galamsey (illegal mining) has brought to them especially leaving them with deplorable Road access to the Farms.

In an interview with Radio 1 News on Tuesday December 4, 2018 the residents bemoaned the conditions of their roads leaving them critical conditions and several unpalatable alternatives before they can go to their farms.

Information gathered by the Radio 1 News Team on their visit reveal that the main occupation of the population there is farming and the dominant type of farming there is Cocoa Farming, but there is no good access road to their farms, One has to walk through several muds and valleys till they make it to the farms. The problem becomes worse especially during raining seasons since the major water body in the area, Birim has been diverted and taken a portion of the footpath road and unfortunately, when it rains, the size of the gutter constructed to contain the Birim river overflows leaving it to stretch all over the area.

It was however, disclosed that not only have a number of farmers lost their lives by drowning in the unclaimed pits but also even cattle and other animals have constantly been drowned in the said pits leaving the farmers with fears when going to their respective farms.

According to the residents, this has been a major problem for about 10years now and little have any stakeholders done for them. They also bemoaned on the dilapidated structure they call Bridge that covers the Birim River and said it has also been a dead trap and so appealed to the government to come to their aid.

These activities by the illegal miners have also polluted the water bodies in the area leaving them with no potable water except to go to farms with Sachet water which has not been their tradition.

By: Radio1News|Ghana|Obido Nana Gyasi