By Dennis Peprah
Sunyani (Bono), July 29, GNA – The Bono Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has directed all mining companies operating in the region to submit their operational licences, permits and other relevant statutory documents for verification.
A statement issued and signed by Mr David Nar-ire Puobenyere, Acting Bono Regional Coordinating Director and Secretary to the REGSEC, said the companies were expected to submit the documents by Monday, August 3, 2026.
“Failure to comply with this directive shall attract the necessary sanctions under the applicable laws of Ghana,” the statement indicated.
According to the statement, the directive followed a viral video by the chiefs of Atronie in the Sunyani Municipality alleging pollution of the Atronie River by illegal mining operators.
It said after sighting the video, the REGSEC visited the river site with the chiefs of Atronie to assess the situation.
“When asked about the source of the river, the chiefs indicated that it flows from the direction of Amoma, suggesting that the pollution originated upstream,” the statement added.
The statement said the directive was issued due to the need to safeguard the region’s water bodies and facilitate the restoration of the affected river.
It also directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Water Resources Commission (WRC) to conduct and submit a comprehensive assessment report on all mining companies legally recognised by their respective institutions and operating in the region within two weeks.
“The Regional House of Chiefs shall be formally engaged to advise and caution any chief or traditional authority who may be directly or indirectly associated with illegal mining activities to desist from such involvement in the interest of environmental protection and lawful governance or face the wrath of the law,” it said.
The REGSEC said mining companies that engaged armed security personnel at their operational sites must ensure that such personnel were duly authorised and that all firearms deployed were properly licensed in accordance with the laws of Ghana.
It noted that the ongoing land dispute involving the traditional areas of Wamfie-Mansen, Sunyani and Atronie appeared to be a significant underlying factor contributing to allegations and tensions surrounding mining activities.
The Council encouraged all parties involved to seek an amicable and lawful resolution of the dispute and reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) to tackle illegal mining in the region.
It expressed the expectation that NAIMOS would intensify and expand its operations in the Bono Region to identify, prevent and eliminate illegal mining activities and their associated environmental impacts.
The REGSEC also urged District Assemblies to adequately equip and deploy the Blue Water Guards within their jurisdictions to strengthen surveillance and enforcement efforts aimed at preventing pollution of rivers and other water bodies.
It said the measures were intended to safeguard the region’s ecosystems from the adverse effects of illegal mining and related environmental degradation.
The Council assured residents that it remained committed to protecting the region’s environment and natural resources through strengthened intelligence gathering, collaboration with regulatory institutions and coordinated enforcement efforts against illegal mining activities.
It said these efforts would help protect water bodies and forest reserves across the Bono Region.
GNA
Edited by Audrey Dekalu
Reporter: Dennis Peprah
Email: [email protected]