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Zeqblog Blog of Wednesday, 23 July 2025
Source: Okine Isaac
Illegal miners, including both locals and Chinese nationals, have occupied a 261-acre stretch of the Breman-Adomanya forest in the Wassa Amenfi West District. Their activities have caused extensive environmental damage, destroying cocoa and rubber farms and polluting the River Tano.
The situation escalated when the miners violently confronted journalists and security personnel investigating the destruction. A media team—including Agyemfra Bright (Angel News), Nana Fynn, Akwasi Agyei Annim (Citi News), and Jacob Baah (Rok/Peace FM)—was attacked while documenting the devastation, despite being under police protection. Their equipment was seized or destroyed.
The journalists had responded to a complaint from farmer Isaac Kwasi Bekye, whose land was ruined by the illegal operations. After reporting to the Asankragwa Police Station, four officers accompanied them to the site. However, upon arrival, miners—alerted by a security guard—ambushed them. Led by suspected land seller Yaw Kurankyi, the miners confiscated cameras, phones, and other gear, trapping the journalists until they deleted all footage.
Additional police reinforcements eventually intervened, securing the journalists’ release. Kurankyi was arrested, but the media team was forced to erase their recordings. Bekye expressed frustration over the lack of action from local leaders and authorities, demanding government intervention to halt the destructive galamsey operations.
