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‘Galamsey’ wreaks havoc on farm, homes in Nkawkaw Amanfrom
Residents of Nkawkaw Amanfrom in Kwahu are reeling from the destruction caused by illegal mining activities, known locally as ‘galamsey’, which have ravaged a poultry farm and several nearby homes.
The mess has left families displaced and livelihoods shattered, raising urgent questions about the unchecked spread of the galamsey menace in Ghana’s farming communities.
The destruction occurred when miners blocked the community’s nearby water body for their operations, leading to extensive flooding during a downpour as the blocked stream overran its banks and spilled into homes and a newly constructed poultry farm owned by Mr. Samuel Osei.
Eyewitnesses have described the scene as heartbreaking — with homes cracked and flooded, and families forced to seek shelter elsewhere.
“We woke up to chaos,” one resident, who spoke to The Spectator on condition of anonymity, said. “The water was everywhere, and everything we’ve worked for was gone.”
The farming enclave of Nkawkaw Amanfrom is known for its agricultural contributions. To put an end to this menace, community members have added their voices to calls on government for an immediate intervention to save the community.
They are demanding stricter enforcement of mining regulations and support for affected families.
“This is not just about land,” one advocate said. “It’s about lives, homes, and futures being buried under greed.”
Madam Mary Danso, who has dealt in poultry for decades at Nkawkaw, lamented how galamsey has affected her source of income. She narrated to The Spectator how dust and smoke from mining sites spread to nearby farms, causing respiratory problems for poultry and reducing egg production.
She pleaded with the government to take action to reduce the menace of galamsey in society.
For Mr. Samuel Osei, a Ghanaian living in the UK who returned to Nkawkaw, it was a difficult sight — seeing his five years of planning, thousands of cedis invested, and a dream rooted in hope all destroyed by the activities of galamsey.
According to Mr. Osei, his poultry farm, with over 4,000 birds and completed with housing, pens, and a piggery, created jobs for a number of the youth in the community.
“This isn’t just one man’s loss. It’s a warning. Galamsey is not only destroying rivers and forests; it’s drowning futures, silencing dreams, and erasing years of honest work. We cannot stay silent. We cannot wait until every farm, every school, every home is lost. This is a call to the government, to local authorities, to environmental agencies — to act now,” he said.
The devastation in Nkawkaw Amanfrom is part of a larger crisis caused by the menace, with over 1.2 million hectares of farmland across Ghana destroyed and more than 500,000 farmers displaced.
By Beatrice Princess Kpeglah
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The National Identification Authority has resumed the Ghana Card registration exercise for children between the ages of 6 and 14 in the Volta and Oti regions.
According to the Authority, the exercise begins on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority.
In a statement issued on May 4, the NIA said the exercise forms part of a nationwide campaign aimed at registering about 3.1 million children to strengthen Ghana’s national identity system.
The Authority explained that the Volta and Oti regions are the first areas selected for the phased national rollout, with each phase expected to last at least 21 days.
Registration teams are expected to move from school to school, covering both public and private institutions, to register eligible children.
The NIA said registration will take place daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
It added that children within the age bracket who are not in school can visit designated schools or registration centres in their communities to register.
According to the Authority, parents or guardians registering a child must present the child’s original birth certificate, valid Ghanaian passport or certificate of acquired citizenship.
Where these documents are unavailable, a parent, relative or legal guardian may complete an Oath of Identity form.
The NIA further explained that in cases where a child has no known relatives, two Social Welfare Officers may vouch for the child under oath.
Parents and guardians who have enrolled their children onto the National Health Insurance Scheme were encouraged to present the child’s NHIS card or number during registration.
The Authority stressed that persons presenting children for registration must be Ghanaian citizens, at least 18 years old, mentally sound and possess a valid Ghana Card.
The NIA also advised children who registered during the 2024 pilot phase but have not yet received their cards to visit their district offices for collection.
The Authority warned that providing false information or assisting in the registration of non-Ghanaians is a criminal offence punishable by law.
It reaffirmed its commitment to building a secure, reliable and inclusive national identity system for all Ghanaians.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Police in the Aburi District arrested 11 suspects for alleged possession of arms and ammunition without authority in connection with the Adambrobe chieftaincy dispute, the Command revealed on Monday.
Ten suspects were arrested on Sunday, May 3, at Adambrobe, Aburi.
Police identified them as Dawu Joseph, a farmer; Kwame Aboagye, a vulcanizer; Samuel Obeng, a taxi driver in Adambrobe; Owusu Paul, a member of the Adambrobe Asekyere family; Jerry John Kwame Atilla, a businessman in Sowutuom; and private security men Evans Dekadzor, Christian Atsu, Samuel Annan, Thomas Davidson, and Richard Agyeman.
The Aburi District Command retrieved five pump-action rifles, 23 live cartridges, one taser, six phones, and one body armor during the operation.
Police also impounded two vehicles used to transport the suspects: an unregistered Ford pickup and a Toyota Corolla with registration number GE 2560-19.
An additional suspect, Douglas Amoako Danquah, was arrested Monday, May 4, after being sighted in a procession within the area, police said.
The arrests are linked to the ongoing chieftaincy dispute in Adambrobe.
Suspects are currently in police custody assisting in investigations.
The Eastern Regional Police Command assured the public of their continued commitment to maintaining peace and stability in Adambrobe and urge all parties to exercise restraint.
