Accra: The chiefs and people of Atronie in the Sunyani Municipality took to the streets early Monday morning, causing a significant disruption by blocking the main road, leaving numerous passengers stranded for several hours. The community, including children and women, congregated at the Amoma River Bridge on the Sunyani-Atronie Road at around 0300 hours to perform rituals aimed at appeasing the river deity.
According to Ghana News Agency, the community's drastic actions were prompted by the deteriorating condition of the Amoma River, attributed to illegal mining activities, commonly known as 'galamsey'. This degradation has reportedly incited the displeasure of the river god in the area, prompting the community's intervention.
Clad in black and red attire, with red headgears and armbands, the community engaged in chanting war songs, accompanied by dancing, drumming, and firing traditional muskets. Okomfo Kwasi Nyantakyi, the Fetish Priest of the Atronie local shrine, alongside Chief Diawusie Amponsem Darko II and other sub-chiefs and queens, performed rituals by slaughtering a ram and pouring libation, seeking the river gods' assistance in combating illegal mining.
The community's protest extended to a march on the main street, featuring placards with messages such as 'Mr President stop galamsey,' 'MP why have you neglected us,' and 'Stop destroying our farmlands.' The messages conveyed the community's frustration with the ongoing environmental destruction and the perceived inaction of political leaders.
In a media interview, Okomfo Nyantakyi warned those involved in illegal mining that the river deity's wrath would be inevitable, indicating that the community could not reverse any potential consequences. Chief Diawusie Darko expressed regret over the government's perceived indifference toward their persistent appeals to address illegal mining on Atronie lands.
Furthermore, Richard Adu, the Assembly Member of the Atronie Electoral Area, emphasized that the situation had been formally reported to the Sunyani Municipal Assembly. He highlighted the urgent need for intervention by the Bono Regional Security Council (REGSEC) due to the illegal miners' use of armed private security to protect their operations, exacerbating the destruction of crops and water bodies in the area.