There was an abrupt end to boundary resolution talks between the Chiefs of Sunyani, Atronie, and Mansen commonly known as Wamfie, following galamsey operations encroaching on the three disputed traditional boundaries.
Farmlands and other properties risk destruction as illegal miners have moved into Mansen, Yawsae, Jinijini, Amomaso, Atronie and adjoining areas with armed force and heavy equipment.
Farmers say they fear losing their livelihoods to deadly galamsey operations.
The three sperate traditional leaders fixed Friday, June 5, to storm a galamsey site, identify the exact Traditional Area(s) the operators were mining on, and receive what was described as first-hand information on the activities to inform action against galamsey.
However, the galamsey sites remained disputed due to boundary concerns, ending the resolution meeting abruptly on Friday without a concrete solution.
Tension gripped the area as heavily built, armed men stood guard, believed to be providing security for illegal miners at the site, blocked access to the galamsey pit with their vehicle, denying the chiefs entry.
In a tense atmosphere, Sunyani Manhene Odeefour Ogyeamansan Boahene Korkor II asked the other Chiefs to show the endpoint of their Traditional Area boundaries for record purposes.
The Mansen Chief adhered and pointed to a stretch of land that included the Amomaja River, a claim the Sunyani Manhene strongly rejected.
Raising objections, the Sunyani Manhene insisted that the Amomaja River falls squarely within Sunyani Traditional Area and has served as a sacred site for spiritual cleansing.
However, moments after identifying the disputed land, the Mansen Chief in a reason best known to him, drove off with his entourage, leaving the matter unresolved.
The meeting was also convened to resolve boundary matters, which is fueling galamsey activities at Jinijini, Amomaja, Yawsae and other disputed areas among the three separate stool lands.
It can be reported that the main issue, galamsey activities threatening Mansen in Dormaa East Municipality under Dormaa Traditional Area, Atronie under the Ashanti Kingdom, and Yawsae community within Sunyani Traditional Area was sidelined.
Sunyani Manhene Ogyeamansan Boahene Korkor II, who agreed to grant interview with the media, described the event as a failed resolution, citing frustration over the activities of illegal miners on the disputed lands.
The Sunyani Manhene, who expressed displeasure over how the event concluded, said he supports peace but felt disrespected by the manner in which the Mansen Chief ended the talks.
Sunyani Manhene Ogyeamansan Boahene Korkor II called for immediate action from the Sunyani Municipal and Bono Regional Security Councils, Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Dr. Agyemang Badu II, and National Security to intervene.
The Sunyani Manhene issued a 24-hour evacuation order to all galamseyers operating on his stool land, warning that he will personally take action if they fail to comply.
He sent a strong message to security agencies in the Bono Region to enforce the evacuation order and clamp down on illegal mining activities in the affected areas.
Nana Adomah Barffour, dikro of Yawsae, one of the affected communities, says he remains resolute in resisting illegal mining.
In his recent radio interviews, he revealed that over 11 excavators belonging to Jegri Bekala, a Ghanaian-owned mining firm headquartered in Dormaa Municipality in the Bono Region, linked to the galamsey activities.
As his next step, the dikro of Yawsae says he will, in the coming days, petition Bono Regional Minister Lawyer Joseph Addae Akwaboah for intervention.
Source: Kaakyire Kwasi Afari. Ark FM, Sunyani.
