National 4 Excavators Reportedly Set Ablaze By Forestry Commission Officers In Eastern Region
Four excavators belonging to a small-scale miner have been set ablaze by some officers suspected to be from the Rapid Response Unit of the Forestry Commission.
The operation, which was not sanctioned by the Regional Security Council was carried out on Wednesday dawn at Obuoho, a community near Anum-Apapam in the Ayensuano district of the Eastern region.
Residents woke up to the disturbing situation after the team raided the mining concession unannounced.
The mining equipment, according to the owner of the concession was hired to aid in reclaiming parts of the land.
The unauthorised operation compelled the Eastern regional minister, Rita Akosua Awatey, to embark on an emergency visit to the site to assess the situation.
Addressing residents and affected miners, the regional minister revealed that the operation was not authorized by the Regional Security Council nor the central government.
According to her, she will cause the REGSEC to look into the issue and recommend sanctions where necessary.
The last time mining equipment was set on fire was four years ago when a government military task force raided a mining concession belonging to Kate Gyamfua, the national women’s organizer of the New Patriotic Party.
The task force burnt almost 20 excavators and several other mining equipment at Larbikrom, Dompem and Pamen, all in the Atiwa district of the Eastern Region.
Credit: Edwin Kofi Siaw
