This blog is managed by the content creator and not GhanaWeb, its affiliates, or employees. Advertising on this blog requires a minimum of GH₵50 a week. Contact the blog owner with any queries.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ellembelle in the Western region, Joseph Agyekum, has pledged to provide alternative livelihoods to communities that have been affected by illegal mining (galamsey) in the district.
Galamsey became so common in Ellembelle district in 2018 and so many farmlands and water bodies had been destroyed as a result of its attendant impact.
Prior to the 2024 general elections, so many Chinese nationals pitched camp at Sendu in Ellembelle district to do galamsey with the support from the local community members.
As of now, galamsey activities have stopped in Ellembelle district and those Chinese nationals have ran away from the district following increasing security measures
The affected galamsey communities in Ellembelle district are, Teleku Bokazo, Anwia, Bomoakpole, Sendu, Nkroful, Salman, Nvuma, Fiasolo among other communities
All the major water bodies in the Ellembelle district had been polluted due to the canker of illegal mining. Consequently, affected farmers have been compelled to rely on sachet water for drinking and survival.
To prevent people from going back into this galamsey activities in the district, the new Ellembelle DCE, Joseph Agyekum on Friday, April 25, 2025, visited some galamsey sites in Ellembelle to access the situation.
He took the opportunity to visit chiefs and members of these affected communities
Speaking to the media after the tour, Joseph Agyekum expressed worry about how some selfish and unscrupulous people had destroyed farmlands, and water bodies in the district.
He pledged to deal ruthlessly with anybody who would involve himself or herself in any form of illegal mining in the district.
He stated “As far as President John Dramani Mahama remains as president of Ghana, Ellembelle will continue to be a no-go-area for galamseyers’.
To this end, he advised all the people of Ellembelle district to stay away from galamsey activities.
Joseph Agyekum further pledged to provide alternative sources of employment to the youth of the district in order to preventing them from engaging themselves in galamsey activities.
He stated that his engagement and tour would offer him an opportunity to put measures in place to reclaim the devastated galamsey areas.
“We will plan adequately on how best we can use the time and energy to reclaim the devastated lands and also provide alternative livelihoods for the affected communities, so I will urge all the youth in Ellembelle to exercise patience”, he said.
Some community members who engaged the media, commended the new DCE for touring the galamsey sites in Ellembelle.
They pledged to rally behind the DCE to stop anybody from doing galamsey in their communities.
