UPF Accuses Akontombra MP of Selective Galamsey Fight, Shielding “Big Fish”

The United Patriotic Front (UPF) has voiced serious concerns regarding the escalating rate of illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, within the Sefwi Akontombra District. In a press release issued today, the UPF alleges that under the leadership of the Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Pious Kwame Nkuah, the constituency has become a central hub for galamsey activities, reportedly holding the highest concentration of such operations in the entire Western North Region.

The UPF further claims a disturbing pattern of selective enforcement orchestrated by the MP. According to the statement, while local youth equipped with basic tools like pickaxes and small pulp machines are being targeted and arrested in abandoned mining sites previously exploited by powerful individuals, the actual large-scale operators who deploy heavy machinery such as excavators, bulldozers, chanfangs, and washing plants continue their destructive activities unhindered in broad daylight.

The UPF identifies key communities including Akrodie, Adukwasi, Ankra, Essase, Bopa Forest, and Krukruwa as current hotspots for these extensive galamsey operations. The group alleges that Chinese nationals and their local collaborators are utilizing significant equipment to devastate the lands, farmlands, and water bodies within these areas.

In light of these observations, the United Patriotic Front poses a series of pointed questions to Hon. Pious Kwame Nkuah:

(A) Why has the MP allegedly ignored these major galamsey operations in the aforementioned communities?

(B) Why are the purported “big fish” operating in Akrodie, Adukwasi, Essase, Ankra, Bopa Forest, and Krukruwa seemingly untouchable, while the less powerful are allegedly being used as scapegoats?

(C) Is there any truth to the widespread rumors within the town that the Honourable Member of Parliament is a beneficiary of these illegal mining operations?

The UPF states that if these rumors are indeed false, as they hope, then immediate and decisive action is required from the MP. They demand that Hon. Pious Kwame Nkuah demonstrate genuine commitment to combating galamsey by leading the same security task force to crack down on the heavily financed and well-equipped galamsey kingpins who are destroying the environment. The UPF asserts that anything short of this would constitute a betrayal of the trust placed in him by the people of Akontombra.

The United Patriotic Front concludes its statement by pledging to continue standing with the people of Sefwi Akontombra in defending their land and holding their elected leaders accountable.

Below is the press release….

FIGHTING THE SMALL, PROTECTING THE POWERFUL: THE GALAMSEY DILEMMA IN AKONTOMBRA UNDER HON. PIOUS KWAME NKUAH

Wednesday, 23rd April, 2025
Sefwi Akontombra, Western North Region

1. The United Patriotic Front (UPF) expresses deep concern over the skyrocketing rate of illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, currently plaguing the Sefwi Akontombra District. Under the leadership of Hon. Pious Kwame Nkuah, our constituency has unfortunately become the hub of galamsey activities, making it the district with the highest concentration of such operations in the entire Western North Region.

2. What is even more troubling is the apparent selective approach to enforcement being led by our Member of Parliament. While local youth, armed with nothing more than pickaxes and mini pulp machines are being targeted and arrested in abandoned sites previously used by kingpins, the real perpetrators who employ heavy machinery such as excavators, dozers, chanfangs, and washing plants continue to operate freely in broad daylight.

3. Key communities like Akrodie, Adukwasi, Ankra, Essase, Bopa Forest and Krukruwa are now hotbeds of destructive galamsey activities, with Chinese nationals and their local collaborators deploying massive equipment to devastate our lands, farmlands, and water bodies.

4. We are compelled to ask:

(A). Why has the MP turned a blind eye to these major operations in the communities listed above?

(B). Why are the big fish operating in Akrodie, Adukwasi, Essase, Ankra, Bopa Forest and Krukruwa untouchable while the poor and voiceless are being used as scapegoats?

(C). Is the Honourable Member of Parliament a beneficiary of these operations, as is widely rumoured in town?

5. If indeed these rumours are untrue as we hope, then we demand immediate action. Let Hon. Pious Kwame Nkuah demonstrate genuine commitment by leading the same security task force to clamp down on the heavily financed and well-equipped galamsey kingpins destroying our environment. Anything less is a betrayal of the trust the people of Akontombra placed in him.

6. The United Patriotic Front will continue to stand with the people in defending our land and holding our leaders accountable.

Signed

Eduful Francis
(President)
Tel:0241964128

Atsu G Christian
(Executive Secretary)
Tel: 0240617187

Stephen Obour
(Public Relations Officer)
Tel: 0593277659