By: Ashiadey Dotse
Illegal miners have invaded the Hiawa Prisons Camp in the Amenfi Central District of the Western Region, raising serious concerns about the safety of the camp.
Despite several complaints from prison authorities, both Chinese nationals and their Ghanaian partners continue to mine illegally on the land.
A prison guard, who spoke anonymously, revealed that local chiefs and elders have been informed multiple times but have not taken action.
He suspects that some community leaders may be benefiting from the illegal mining, making it difficult to stop the activities.
3news reports indicate that the Ghana Prisons Service headquarters was informed about the situation when the illegal mining began. Several senior officers visited the area, but no action was taken, leading to suspicions that some high-ranking officials might also be involved.
A concerned resident of Hiawa claimed that some prison officers have agreed to allow the illegal miners to operate in exchange for benefits.
Meanwhile, the Ayensu River, which runs through the community, is heavily polluted due to mining activities. Although mining laws prohibit operations within 100 meters of a river, miners are reportedly digging directly in the water and dumping waste, including dirty oil, into the river.
Additionally, 3news sources reveal that top executives from both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are allegedly involved in running the illegal mining site.
