GNASSM District Secretary challenges Gov’t to arrest Oda forest reserve invaders

The Ashanti District Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners (GNASSM), has challenged government to immediately effect the arrest and prosecution of those behind the invasion and mining of Oda Forest Reserve invaders.

According to Mr. Kwaku Adu Gyamfi, Government must show commitment to the Anti-illegal mining fight by apprehending individuals behind the invasion of Oda River Forest Reserve in Manso -Aboaboso.

“I can’t take your directives on mining in Red Zones serious, if you fail to swiftly act on such instances, when even allegation of political influence has been made”, Mr. Adu Gyamfi charged the Government.

The youth of Manso Aboaboso in an attempt to protecting the Oda River Forest Reserve against illegal mining activities clashed with armed security guards providing security for small scale mining company.

Reacting to the development, the Ashanti Chapter Secretary of GNASSM said, the approach to enter the Forest Reserve by the miners were wrong and deserves the resistance put up by the community members.

In retaliation to gunshots and cutlass attacks, two Excavators were burnt, one private vehicle was also burnt whiles two community members were arrested.

This has in turn created a lot of controversy as the youth demand the release of the arrested youth.

It was initially alleged that the arrest was influenced by some political gurus within the illegal activities so that it could cow the boys from their continuous fight against the illegal mining activities.

The Ashanti chapter Secretary of the GNASSM is therefore throwing challenge to the government to effect the arrest of those illegal invaders of the Oda Forest Reserve to indicate its true commitment to fighting the illegalities.

Kwaku Adu Gyamfi
0244957700