We’ll Reclaim Our Own Land’ — Manso Nyakomase Residents Resist Unauthorized Land Reclamation

Residents of Manso Nyakomase in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region have firmly declared their opposition to what they describe as an unauthorized land reclamation exercise being planned on their small-scale mining site without their consent.

The concerned residents, made up of miners, youth, and opinion leaders, say they are ready to reclaim their own land once mining activities are completed, but will not tolerate any external interference in the name of reclamation.

The community, known for its long-standing engagement in small-scale mining, held a press conference on Monday morning to voice their displeasure and call on the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Amansie South, Hon. Benjamin Marfo, and the Government of Ghana to intervene before the situation escalates into conflict.

Addressing the media on behalf of the residents, Mr. Sarkodie Dominic, a community spokesperson, emphasized that the land they are working on is not part of any government-acquired concession, forest reserve, or river body, but land owned by families and individuals within the Manso Nyakomase community.

He explained that small-scale mining remains the main source of livelihood for the people and that any attempt to reclaim the land without consulting them amounts to a direct attack on their economic survival. “We are not working in any forest or on any river body.

This is our own land — our inheritance. We are responsible miners, and we have every plan to reclaim our land when our work is done.

No one has the right to move machines here without consulting us,” Mr. Sarkodie stated passionately.

He further alleged that some unidentified individuals have attempted to move excavators and other heavy equipment onto the land under the guise of conducting a reclamation exercise.

The community, however, believes this move is part of a broader agenda to take over their mining area without due process or community engagement.

“We are sending a strong message to anyone behind this agenda. Stop it immediately. We have not authorized any land reclamation exercise here.

If any machines have been sent to our land, we are giving them three days to be removed. We will not allow anyone to take what rightfully belongs to us,” he warned.

The residents also issued a stern caution to their local leaders not to engage in any secret arrangements that could undermine the community’s interests.

They warned that any leader who supports or facilitates the alleged unauthorized reclamation would be seen as betraying the people of Manso Nyakomase.

“We respect our leaders, but we will not allow betrayal. If any of them are part of this plan, they must stop immediately.

This land belongs to the people of Manso Nyakomase, and we will defend it together,” another resident added.

The community members reiterated that they are not against the idea of land reclamation but insisted it should be done in a fair and participatory manner.

They emphasized that they have the capacity to reclaim their land themselves once their mining operations are completed.

According to them, reclaiming the land prematurely while they are still actively mining would destroy their only means of livelihood and deepen poverty in the area.

“We know the importance of reclamation. We will do it ourselves at the right time.

What we cannot accept is someone coming here to take over our land in the name of reclamation when we are still working on it. That is unfair,” a resident said.

The residents therefore appealed to Hon. Benjamin Marfo, the District Chief Executive for Amansie South, to step in immediately to ensure that peace and fairness prevail.

They also called on the government to protect their rights as small-scale miners and ensure that no individual or group takes unilateral action that could spark tension in the community.

“We are appealing to our DCE, Hon. Benjamin Marfo, and the government to come to our aid.

We need protection and fairness.

This is our land, our source of survival, and we will not allow anyone to take it away from us unjustly,” Mr. Sarkodie added.

Some residents who spoke to the media expressed worry that the situation, if not handled carefully, could escalate into confrontation.

They urged the authorities to act swiftly to address the matter and maintain peace in Manso Nyakomase.

“We are peaceful citizens. We respect government policies, but we must be involved in any decision that affects our land and our lives.

We will reclaim our own land when we finish mining, and that is our right,” one resident said.

The press conference concluded peacefully, with residents reiterating their commitment to responsible mining and environmental protection.

They vowed to continue their work lawfully while safeguarding their land and livelihoods until they are ready to undertake their own reclamation efforts.

End.