Tensions are rising in the Manso Nyakomase community in the Amansie South District, as residents mount strong resistance against what they describe as an “unauthorized and imposed” land reclamation exercise being undertaken on local mined sites without their knowledge or approval.
The residents — including small-scale miners, youth, and traditional leaders — have vowed to prevent any external group or individual from carrying out reclamation activities on their lands, insisting they have their own plans to restore the environment once mining operations are completed.
At a press conference held in the community, the residents accused unidentified persons of attempting to reclaim the mined areas under the guise of environmental restoration without proper consultation or authorization. They described the move as a violation of their rights and a potential source of conflict if authorities fail to act swiftly.
Speaking on behalf of the community, Dominic Sarkodie, a local leader, emphasized that the lands in question are neither part of any government-acquired concession nor located within a forest reserve or near a river body. According to him, the parcels belong to individual families who have allowed regulated small-scale mining to sustain livelihoods.
“We are not working in any forest or on any river body — this is our own land, our inheritance. We are responsible miners and have plans to reclaim the land ourselves when our operations are done. No one has the right to move machines here without our consent,” Mr. Sarkodie said.
He further noted that small-scale mining remains the main economic activity in Manso Nyakomase, supporting hundreds of families through direct and indirect jobs. Any attempt to reclaim or seize the land without engaging the rightful owners, he warned, could jeopardize the community’s survival.
The residents are calling on the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie South, Benjamin Marfo, and other relevant government agencies, including the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to step in immediately to avert possible clashes.
They also urged the government to ensure that all reclamation initiatives in mining communities are done transparently, with full involvement of local stakeholders, to prevent unnecessary tension and mistrust.
The Manso Nyakomase case adds to growing concerns in the Ashanti Region about disputes over reclamation efforts, as communities demand greater inclusion and respect for local ownership in environmental restoration processes.
Credit: Joseph Obeng
