The Dunkwa Constituency Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has come under scrutiny following allegations that he facilitated illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.

The accusations emerged after a government fact-finding team, tasked with assessing the impact of galamsey, faced fierce resistance during an operation in the Western and Central regions.

The team, which included security personnel, seized and immobilized mining equipment such as excavators, pumping machines, and generators at various illegal sites in Anwia, Prestea, and Dunkwa.

However, tensions flared in Dunkwa when a group of miners, reportedly led by the NDC chairman, mobilized to challenge the enforcement exercise. The chairman allegedly expressed displeasure over the operation, arguing that he had not been consulted beforehand.

The resistance intensified as miners and residents blocked roads and confronted the government team, demanding an immediate halt to the crackdown. Many of the protesters, actively engaged in illegal mining along the Offin River, accused the government of selectively enforcing mining laws while neglecting their livelihoods.

In Anwia, the devastation caused by illegal mining was evident, with damaged roads and weakened storm drains posing serious risks to the community. The fact-finding team responded by dismantling illegal setups and setting mining camps ablaze. A similar operation at a mining site behind a technical school in Nkroful led to the confiscation of several pumps and generators.

In Baduwa No.2, Upper Denkyira East District, illegal mining along the Offin River had caused environmental hazards, including frequent flooding and the destruction of farmlands. While some residents supported the government's action, others expressed frustration over the ongoing struggle to curb galamsey activities.

The situation escalated further when an aerial inspection of Dunkwa township revealed extensive illegal mining operations dangerously close to the town’s main bridge. As the team assessed the site, a furious mob gathered, demanding their departure and openly challenging the security forces.

Despite the resistance, the advisory team, led by Rear Admiral (Rtd) Moses Beick-Baffour, remains resolute in its mission to inform government policy on illegal mining and strengthen enforcement measures.