Information reaching this paper indicates that more Chinese nationals have invaded the Gwirabanso community, a small town in Evalue Gwira in the Western Region to engage in mining activities against the popular will of the people.
This new crop of Chinese miners, according to our information, arrived in the community last week Friday, and have already begun illegal mining activities in the town with the Chief of Gwira Traditional Area, Awulae Tu – Agyan and Regional Minister of Western Region Ministers siting down unconcerned about the development.
“Just this Friday, another group of Chinese arrived in the town to mine. In fact, we are tired of their activities. Our ministers are not helping us at all, because we have made several appeals and petitions but nothing has been done,” an angry resident said.
Although residents of Gwirabanso have expressed disaffections at the activities of the Chinese miners in the town a couple of weeks ago, more Chinese nationals keep coming in, since they find solace in the Chief of the town.
Over the past few weeks, residents; especially the youth of the town raised alarm over the activities of these Chinese miners in their community and how it was affecting their livelihood.
The residents descended on the Omanhene of Gwira Traditional Area challenging him to sack all Chinese miners from the area.
However, since their concerns have been laid before the Ministers of Lands and Natural Resources and for Environment, they expected some actions to be taken so as to halt the activities of the Chinese, but their appeals and concerns have fallen on deaf ears.
Speaking to some residents of the town a day after the invasion by the new group of Chinese, they expressed sadness over the whole incident saying they felt betrayed as people by their Chief and Ministers of State who have the mandate to protect their interest against foreigners.
According to them, they have all along suspected the Chief to be benefitting from the largesse of these Chinese miners hence his refusal to take action against the Chinese and to sack them from the community.
The residents noted that, the Ministers of State under the Mahama administration have neglected the people of the area for far too long since they have chosen to ignore any petition and appeals that come from the people regarding the activities of Chinese miners in the area.
They described the position taken by the Ministers of Lands and Natural Resources and for Environment as unfortunate and sad.
They however alleged that the Chief of the town, Director of the Minerals Commission in the Region, the Immigration officer and the Regional Police Commander have been taking some money from the Chinese miners that is why they always protect the Chinese and allow them to mine.
The residents also blamed the security agencies for allowing the invasion of these Chinese nationals into the community saying the time has come for the government to ensure strict travel regulation on these Chinese nationals to Ghana since their activities especially in the mining communities are becoming unbecoming.
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