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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 Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has announced a series of reforms aimed at improving transparency, efficiency, and youth development in Ghana’s sports sector.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament today, Mr. Adams said the Ministry had set up a Fixed Asset Coordinating Unit within the National Sports Authority (NSA) to properly assess and manage the value of national sports infrastructure.
The move, he explained, is meant to boost revenue generation and ensure accountability in the management of state-owned sports facilities.
The Minister revealed plans to introduce an e-ticketing system across all stadiums and sporting events in the country.
According to him, this initiative will make event management more transparent, efficient, and secure.
Mr. Adams further disclosed that the Ministry is in the final stages of completing a new National Sports Policy, which for the first time will fully integrate recreation into Ghana’s national development agenda.
The policy, he said, is expected to be ready by the first quarter of 2026.
Another key announcement was the creation of a School Sports Agency, which he described as a “critical structure to drive talent discovery, youth engagement, and athlete development from the ground up.”
He said the agency will serve as the foundation for grooming Ghana’s future champions.
Mr. Adams assured Parliament that the Ministry remains committed to building a modern, inclusive, and accountable sports and recreation ecosystem that delivers value, opportunity, and national pride.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has defended the ongoing prosecution of former Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, stressing that the case is backed by solid evidence and involves serious offences.
The office explained that Dr Abdul-Hamid, who is facing trial before the Criminal High Court in Accra, is charged with conspiracy to commit extortion, extortion by a public officer, using public office for profit, and money laundering.
It indicated that he and two NPA officials allegedly plotted to extort about GH¢291 million and US$332,000 from bulk oil transporters and oil marketing companies between December 2022 and December 2024.
The OSP said he is also accused of unlawfully receiving GH¢24 million and GH¢230,000 from oil transporters under the guise of performing official duties, and of using his position for personal gain.
According to the office, investigations showed that he possessed GH¢15.3 million, an amount far beyond his legitimate income and suspected to be proceeds of crime.
It revealed that assets worth over GH¢100 million and US$100,000 have been seized and frozen, with additional properties still under tracing.
The OSP maintained that the prosecution is a major step toward protecting public funds and promoting accountability in the petroleum sector, adding that no public official is above the law.
The case continues on Thursday, 13 November 2025.
By: Jacob Aggrey
