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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 Republic of Ghana, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), is set to host a fugu and kente exhibition in Lusaka, Zambia, from March 6 to 8, 2026.
The event aims to strengthen Ghana-Zambia relations while promoting Pan-Africanism and African unity.
The exhibition, set to be organised in collaboration with the Ghana High Commission in Lusaka, will showcase Ghanaian culture and craftsmanship, highlighting traditional textiles like kente and local wear such as fugu.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ghana described the event as a boost not only for cultural and economic diplomacy but also for trade and agribusiness ties between the two countries.
The exhibition will be held at the Lusaka Showgrounds, where visitors can experience Ghana’s rich cultural heritage and the African personality in action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
A thanksgiving service has been held at Jehovah Shamah Assemblies of God Church in honour of Mr Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror following his appointment as Clerk to the Parliament of Ghana.
The event brought together duty bearers, parliamentarians, family members, friends, church leaders, and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate his new role and offer prayers for his success.
Church leaders used the occasion to congratulate Mr Djietror and encouraged him to serve with integrity, humility, and dedication.
They prayed for wisdom and strength for him as he assumes responsibility in supporting the work of Parliament.
They also highlighted the importance of his position in the country’s democratic governance.
Mr Djietror expressed gratitude for the support and prayers, noting that the thanksgiving service was a moment to acknowledge God’s guidance in his career.
He assured attendees of his commitment to duty, stating that he would work diligently in the interest of Parliament and the nation.
By: Jacob Aggrey
