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Officials from the Kyebi Division of the Forestry Commission allegedly set fire to four excavators suspected to be used for illegal mining within the Atewa Forest buffer at Obuoho Fante near Anum Apapamu in the Ayensuano District of the Eastern Region on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
According to sources, the officials arrived around 9 a.m. for a routine monitoring exercise and engaged the Assembly Member for the area, who disputed claims that the concession owner was mining within the buffer zone.
After a brief phone conversation, the officials burned the four excavators and fled to avoid confrontation with angry community members who had begun to gather.
Assembly Member for Anum Apapamu North, Adu-Gyamfi Douglas, expressed the frustrations of the local youth, stating:
“The youth are worried and aggrieved because this manpower mining is their only means of survival. There are no jobs here, so if mining stops now, they won’t be happy.”
Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Awatey, rushed to the scene to calm tensions and has called for an immediate investigation into the incident. She assured the community that the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) had not sanctioned the burning of excavators.
“We want the government to investigate this incident and identify those responsible. Please remain calm, as we do not want any clashes. Your safety is important to us,” she urged.
The incident has raised concerns over the approach to fighting illegal mining and the economic impact on local communities.
