News
Aggrieved farmers cry to govt to stop illegal encroachment on farms
Aggrieved farmers at Saamang in the Fanteakwa South District in the Eastern Region have appealed to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to prevail on BSD Mines to stop their illegal activities or they would be forced to take necessary action that may not be in the interest of the company.
According to the farmers, BSD Mines, a subsidiary of Kibi Gold Fields Ghana Limited, which mines for gold at Saamang in the Fanteakwa South District, has taken its concession beyond borders by encroaching on farmlands cultivated by individuals in the area without their consent.
Pouring out their grievances to The Spectator, one of the aggrieved farmers, Mr Eric Nkum Antwi, owner of Ever Care Venture said the company had destroyed large acres of cocoa, plantain, oil palm, cassava, cocoyam and yam farms among others which were their only source of livelihood.
According to Mr Nkum Antwi, his 1.5 acres of cocoa and plantain farms which employed two permanent and seven casual workers, had been destroyed by BSD Mines, who also dug dams on the farm without any form of negotiation between him and the company.
“My 1.5 acres of cocoa and plantain farms that could fetch me a substantial amount of money to feed my family and also pay my workers had been destroyed by this company without approaching me for any form of either compensation or negotiation.
“No one from the company had come to negotiate any terms with me and to my surprise my workers went to the farm to discover that more mining wells had been dug on my farm and my cocoa and plantain trees in which I had invested monies have been destroyed,” he fumed.
Mr Antwi also revealed that the illegal mining activities of Kibi Gold Fields Ltd had contaminated the town’s only source of drinking water, but the company compensated each household with only two bags of sachet water daily, which was woefully inadequate for the survival of the residents.
Another farmer, Opanin Kofi Sam, also confirmed that his 17.5 acre farm located at Anomaase made up of cocoa, plantain, cassava, palm trees, cocoyam, yam, and vegetables have all been destroyed by the company to extract gold.
He said a Koforidua High Court on May 6, 2020 granted a request made by Kibi Gold Fields Limited who had pleaded for out-of-court settlement, after he had filed a complaint at the law court.
“We met to negotiate on the matter and they asked me to send a proposal to them which I did as requested. They acknowledged receipt and promised to come back but I have since not heard anything from them till now,” he said.
The farmers also expressed disappointment in the traditional authorities for watching on for the company to be engaging in such illegal activities that have the potential of endangering their families into abject poverty.
When contacted on telephone, the Community Relations Officer of the company, Mr Eric Opoku Fordjour conceded that, their activities had affected some farmers around the concession site.
Meanwhile, he explained that it was not deliberate as speculated by the farmers, adding that, in the case of Mr Eric Antwi Nkum, a portion of his farm was affected when they were clearing a road to the site.
“With Opanin Kofi Sam, we agreed on an amount to compensate him, however, on the day we were to give the money to him, he asked us to go and grant bail for his nephew who had been jailed 18 years for engaging in illegal mining before he would accept the money,” he said.
He has assured that they would contact the aggrieved farmers and settle the matter amicably.
The aggrieved farmers have, however, complained that they had not received any compensation from BSD Mines.
From David Kodjo, Koforidua
The Madina Divisional Police Command is investigating a shooting incident involving former Dome-Kwabenya MP, Sarah Adwoa Safo.
According to a preliminary police statement, the incident occurred on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at the late father’s residence in Kwabenya, Accra Region.
Police said Ms. Safo sustained a gunshot wound to her left ear. She later reported the matter to Kwabenya Police and presented a vehicle with registration number GN 3482-24 showing visible bullet damage.
The victim has been issued a medical report form and is receiving treatment. The vehicle has been impounded for forensic examination.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the shooting and to identify all persons involved.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Kristo Asafo Mission of Ghana has accused former Dome-Kwabenya MP Sarah Adwoa Safo of misleading the public by creating the impression that she sustained gunshot wounds during the enstoolment ceremony of its new leader.
In a statement, the church said the incident occurred on June 21, 2026, at its Kwabenya property after a lawful church event.
According to the mission, Ms. Safo arrived at the venue and forcefully drove her vehicle into the entrance gates, striking and causing substantial damage to two metallic gates.
“At the time of the incident, numerous worshippers and invited guests were present within the premises, including individuals seated in close proximity to the entrance,” the statement said.
The mission added that the act posed a serious risk to life and property, noting that security personnel intervened to prevent further escalation.
The church said it has taken note of unverified media reports and social media claims that Ms. Safo was shot by her brother during the incident.
“We categorically reject these allegations as false and misleading. To the best of our knowledge and based on information presently available to us, no such shooting occurred,” it stated.
The Kristo Asafo Mission is calling on authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into all aspects of the incident.
It also urged the public to refrain from drawing conclusions based on unverified social media reports and to allow law enforcement to establish the facts through due process.
The mission reiterated its commitment to peace, truth, the rule of law, and the safety of all persons who attend its events.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
