Tension Brews In Banka-Asante Akyem As Youths Protest Against Galamsey Activities
The alarming situation this news outlet gathered if immediate security measures were not taken by the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa to resolve the matter, it would definitely degenerate into the bloody clash.
Freeman Koryekpor 
TENSION is seriously brewing between the aggrieved youths and some self-seeking traditional leaders of the Banka, the farming community in the Asante Akyem South Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The alarming situation this news outlet gathered if immediate security measures were not taken by the government of President Nana Addo Dankwa to resolve the matter, it would definitely degenerate into the bloody clash.
The aggrieved youths of the area have vehemently protested against the current criminal attempt by some traditional leaders of the Banka community led by their queen mother, Nana Anima Basahyia to award their forest reserve to some entities for illegal mining activities.
"We wish to unequivocally state that we shall not countenance any such action within the community and shall resist even with our last breath.
"As youth members of the Banka Community we are very much concerned about protecting and safeguarding resources for the future generation," the leadership of youths of the area in the persons of Thomas Kusi, Leticia Aboagyewaa and Name Yaw Kwakye told Soireenews.com.
These persons on behalf of Banka Youth Association noted that the last few years have witnessed our natural resources such as timber and forests grossly mismanaged and revenues misappropriated by some self-seeking traditional leaders of the community.
According to the members of the Association, they been taken aback with the sight of mining equipment which are currently being brought to the community under military protection.
They asserted that "Our preliminary checks have revealed that the planned Galamsey activities within our forest is being fronted by no other person but our queen mother, Nana Anima Basahyia who is supposed to hold in trust our resources for the future generation.
They noted that they are more concerned about the presence of military personnel in our peaceful community as they have began intimidating indigenes who are opposing the destruction of our heritage by galamsey.
"We have also learnt that the DCE for Asante Akim South Alexander Frimpong is also neck deep in the mining agenda.
"While we call on government to swiftly intervene we are also cautioning the military officers who are intimidating indigenes to refrain from such act," the Association hinted.
The Association suggested that the military high command must withdraw those military personnel from Banka with immediate effect or else "we shall respond in equal measure any mistreatment against our folks by the military."
