MCE & Police Are Behind Illegal Galamsey In Konongo - Owere Miners Allege

Workers of Owere Mining Company have raised concerns over the activities of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Alhaji Ibrahim Boyong, divisional police commander, Mr Bossman and some NDC party gurus, accusing them of spear heading galamsey operations on their concession at Konongo Odumase.

According to the Ghana Mines workers Union (GMWU) Secretary at Owere mines branch, Mr. Francis Owusu, Under the Watch of the MCE of Konongo Odumase, Alhaji Boyong, a lot of illegal mining activities has been going on in Odumase where inhabitable houses have been turned into mini galamsey sites.

According to sources in Owere mines, the Municipal Assembly brought a letter to the Mining Company to dredge the Owere river to enable rapid flow of the river after and during raining season but Under the pretense of dredging Owere River with the full support of the MCE they were rather doing Alluvial mining in the Owere river and have succeeded in destroying and polluting all the water bodies in this municipality which has made the investment in the construction of water Dam at Anuruso to become a white elephant.

“As if that was not enough, the illegal miners have taken over the following sites at Owere Mines Concession; Boadedro pits; Apan pits, Mine office area; VRA/ Gridco /ECG substations; Fiadzigbe, Kyereben West and East and Atunsu pits with deadly weapons such as cutlasses, machetes and guns which poses serious security threat to the entire workforce of Owere Mines Limited” ,Francis disclosed .

In an interview with the mines manger, Mr. Kofi Nti , he disclosed that workers of Owere Mines Ltd now live in fear. Everyday new groups of galamsey operators emerge and take any portion of the company’s concession without any fear. Several complaints made to the Police, MCE, MUSEC, REGSEC, Chiefs and meetings to stop these galamsey activities in our concession have proved futile.

But this reporter’s investigation unearth that the illegal galamsey operators are been motivated and protected by some politicians in government and the orders from above is the reason why the Police are unable to take any action against the illegal galamsey operators on the Owere mining Ltd concession.

“There is this man who goes round by the name Michael Mahama who claims to be the brother of President, His Excellent John Dramani Mahama and he is supporting these illegal miners to collapse our company. We are calling on the president if indeed he is his brother should call him to order”, Mr. Francis added.

Furthermore, it is important to note that the security apparatus in Konongo – Odumase has broken down. Their source of water from Boadedroo pit has been pumped out by these galamsey operators, leaving the pit bone dry with no water for their day to day domestic chores.

Our employees are assaulted by the galamseyers but no arrest has been made by the police, Francis said.

Again, there have been series of blasting everywhere within Odumase by these galamsey operators, Ventilation Shafts (Odumase Zongo Shaft) and behind the mines offices have also been blasted by the galamseyers without any permission. Due to that the mines power has broken down which has putting the mines company into complete darkness.

“It may surprise you that on 18^th and 19^th of June 2016, thousands of galamsey operators encroached on our concessions with machetes and guns daring our security guards that if they come near they will cut them into pieces claiming they have the support of the MCE and Divisional Police Commander” Francis Owusu lamented.

“Upon this that we are calling on the President, the National Security, Ghana Mines Workers Union of TUC, Ghana Chamber of Mines, Minerals Commission, EPA , Civil societies, and all interested groups so deploy their men to OML- Konongo site to salvage the situation and protect lives and properties on the mine”, the mines union secretary added .

Any further delay on the part of the state security will degenerate into loss of lives and we are giving the Municipal Chief Executive three days ultimatum to address our concerns in the petition else we would advise ourselves accordingly.

Credible sources in Konongo Odumasi township disclosed the following names as the main people spear heading illegal galamsey on Owere concessions; NDC Constituency Chairman, Mr. Francis Ackon, NDC Executive , Kumasi – Alhaji Ngie , NADMO Coordinator – Mr. Andoh and some others ,Sumaila, Elijah , Abubakar Sadik, Abi J.K, Muntala, Mensuro and Fiifi