Illicit miners have resumed their activities along the Accra-Kumasi Highway in Osino, Fanteakwa South District, posing a significant threat to the infrastructure. The Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners visited the site on February 8, 2023, and discovered extensive damage, including deep hollow cracks and water-filled holes.
The miners had diverted the course of the Birim River, bringing it dangerously close to the highway, and their activities had ceased. However, a year later, the miners have returned with increased intensity, operating on the opposite side of the road, where the Electricity Company of Ghana has its transmission lines and installations.
The electricity poles are now precariously hanging, and the situation has raised concerns about the potential for disaster. Godwin Armah, General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners, has described the situation as unfortunate and is planning to petition the relevant authorities.
The petition will be addressed to the Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, highlighting the devastation caused by the illegal miners. The association is urging the authorities to take swift action to stop the illegal mining activities and prevent a potential disaster.
The situation has also raised concerns about the environmental impact of the mining activities, as the Birim River is a significant water source for the local community. The resumption of illegal mining activities in Osino has sparked fears of a potential environmental disaster and a threat to the safety of road users on the Accra-Kumasi Highway.
