Atwima Mponua DCE Leads Stakeholder Engagement on Responsible Community Mining

Atwima Mponua DCE Leads Stakeholder Engagement on Responsible Community Mining

Source:Justice Baffour awuah//managing editor,www.dailywatchgh.com/0246930931

The District Chief Executive for Atwima Mponua, Hon. Issahak Ibrahim, has reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to sustainable and community-centred mining following a strategic stakeholder engagement with traditional authorities and opinion leaders from four major communities within the district.

The meeting, held yesterday,9th December brought together representatives from Akwaburaso, Hwidiem, Mantukwa, and Okyerekrom, all of whom play a significant role in shaping community perspectives and influencing local environmental practices. The discussions formed part of the Assembly’s broader initiative to promote responsible community mining in a district that continues to attract increased interest from small and large-scale mining operators.

Dialogue Focused on Balancing Development and Environmental Protection

In his opening remarks, Hon. Issahak Ibrahim emphasized that the mineral wealth of Atwima Mponua can be a powerful driver of development only when extraction is done lawfully and responsibly. He noted that the district has suffered the consequences of illegal mining in the past,land degradation, pollution of water bodies, and disrupted livelihoods and stated that community leadership must remain at the centre of efforts to reverse these trends.

The engagement focused on how traditional authorities, youth groups, miners, and local government can work collaboratively to ensure that mining activities do not compromise the environment or endanger the well-being of residents. Participants discussed the urgent need to safeguard farmlands, preserve rivers, and enforce mining regulations that protect both present and future generations.

Mining Concessionaire Adds Industry Insight

The meeting was further enriched by the presence of Ms. Angela Abena Fosu, a mining concessionaire with active operations within the district. Ms. Fosu provided technical and industry-based insights into best practices for community mining, stressing that adherence to environmental guidelines and safety protocols is essential for long-term sustainability.

She reiterated that responsible miners are willing to work transparently with district authorities and community leaders, provided that channels for dialogue remain open and collaborative.

Chiefs and Opinion Leaders Commit to Vigilance

Chiefs and opinion leaders from the four participating communities also expressed strong support for the Assembly’s approach. They acknowledged the need for improved monitoring of mining sites and pledged to intensify community education on the dangers of illegal and environmentally destructive mining methods. Several participants emphasized that the district’s natural resources must be managed collectively, with a shared sense of responsibility.

A Renewed Commitment to Sustainable Development

Hon. Issahak Ibrahim concluded the engagement by renewing the Assembly’s commitment to championing sustainable, lawful, and community-focused mining. He stated that the Atwima Mponua District Assembly would continue to collaborate with all stakeholders,traditional authorities, miners, civil society, and local residents,to ensure that mining becomes a pathway to socio-economic development rather than environmental devastation.

He added that the district is determined to set a national example by demonstrating that community mining, when guided by strict regulation and robust local involvement, can serve as a tool for empowerment and shared prosperity.