The Denkyembour District office of the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) in the Eastern Region has called on miners operating in the Akwatin area to reclaim lands destroyed by their activities to help prevent recurrent flooding in the district. The appeal was made during the commemoration of International Disaster Day held at Akyem Takorase.
Speaking to the media, the Denkyembour District NADMO Director, Mrs. Mary Fudam, highlighted the growing threat that abandoned mining pits and degraded lands pose to communities in the area. She explained that one of the most persistent disasters the district faces is flooding, which is often worsened by the failure of miners to reclaim lands after extracting minerals. According to her, unfilled pits collect water and weaken soil structures, creating channels that escalate flooding during heavy rains. She described the situation as very disturbing and urged miners to adhere to responsible mining practices.
Mrs. Fudam stressed that proper land reclamation is not only an environmental necessity but also a vital preventive measure against disasters that continue to affect livelihoods and property. She further called on miners in the Akwatin area to work closely with district authorities and adhere to environmental regulations that require the restoration of mined lands to their natural or usable state. This, she said, will significantly reduce the risk of flooding in the Denkyembour district and contribute to a safer environment for residents.
The Denkyembour District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Umar Ahmed Tutu, also addressed the gathering and expressed worry about the destructive activities of miners, particularly illegal miners, whose operations cause extensive damage to farmlands, forests, and water bodies. He lamented that even after the district invests resources in land reclamation and tree planting exercises, some individuals return to destroy the newly planted trees, undermining the efforts of the assembly and local stakeholders.
Hon. Tutu commended NADMO officers in the district for their dedication, especially their engagement with the youth, whom they continue to educate on disaster prevention, environmental stewardship, and community safety. He emphasized that disaster management is a shared responsibility and urged all residents to support ongoing initiatives aimed at protecting the environment.
The Chief of Akyem Takorase, Osaberima Owusu Nketia III, who chaired the event, also called on Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) across the country to involve traditional leaders more actively in the fight against illegal mining. He noted that traditional authorities play a critical role in local governance and community mobilization, making their involvement essential for lasting success in combating galamsey.
