The exercise is said to have been repeated at Akyem Larbikrom and Dompem where four excavators including two brand new ones, each valued at $120,000 were also set ablaze. Other equipments burnt at the various sites include dozens of water pumping machines. The military team is also said to have seized some pump-action guns which were being used to protect the mining sites. According to Nana Asante, the military team could have considered the contributions of Madam Gyamfua to the NPP and retreated on its actions. Meanwhile, a Member of the Small-Scale Miners Association in the Eastern Region, Alhaji Hussein Suronim has stated that the affected mining sites are not illegal but licensed small-scale mining sites that adhered to all the mining regulations and have thus condemned the military’s action.

Source: GhanaWeb May 17, 2021 01:10 UTC