The Bosomtwe District Assembly in the Ashanti region has commenced an exercise to cover huge galamsey pits dugged behind the Konkomba Basic School and a clinic in the community.
The illegal mining pits posed grave threats to pupils of the school and the only health facility in the area.
Reports filed by Adom news caught the attention of the authorities to ward off the illegal miners and begin the covering of pits.
The exercise is expected to cover the entire land mass although portions have been completely covered.
In a social media post, District Chief Executive of Bosomtwe, Engr Abdullah Hamid highlighted the next steps to reclaim the degraded lands.
“We are monitoring the reclaimed area to ensure environmental stability. We will also continue collaboration with law enforcement to prevent future illegal mining activities. Also, engagement with local communities and stakeholders will go on to promote environmental conservation,” he noted.
Two excavators have been on site to restore the area under police supervision.
“Our commitment to environmental protection and community safety remains unwavering,” Engr. Hamid noted.
Although the DCE has touted the exercise as successful, some community members disagree as they want to see a complete reclamation of the entire site.
Stephen Abrokwa, the assembly member for Konkomba, observed that the work is not fully completed, stating that areas posing threat to the school have been left uncovered.
“I spoke with the DCE, and he says they will continue but didn’t give me actual date and time,” he said.
According to him, the community will be delighted if all the degraded lands are fully and successfully reclaimed.
Source: Joseph Obeng