Journalist Erastus Asare Donkor and his team from Multimedia Group Limited were brutally attacked by armed men allegedly linked to Edelmetallum Resources Limited at a mining site in Asumenya, near Manso Nkran in Ghana's Ashanti Region. This incident coincides with reports of renewed destruction in the newly restored Asenanyo Forest Reserve and pollution in streams feeding into the Ankobra River, exacerbating environmental concerns.
The attack on Erastus Asare Donkor, an award-winning journalist known for his activism against illegal mining and environmental degradation, highlights the risks faced by those advocating for ecological preservation. The Ghanaian government has intensified efforts to combat illegal mining, particularly around water bodies, by reinstating 'Operation Halt', deploying over 100 soldiers to protect water resources.
Despite these efforts, skeptics question the effectiveness of these measures, citing past failures to significantly resolve the illegal mining crisis. The ongoing challenges underscore the need for comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of illegal mining while safeguarding the environment and water resources.
Environmental degradation, water pollution and health risks persist due to illegal mining, with severe consequences including destruction of forests, river bodies and farmlands, contamination of major rivers and linked chronic diseases.
The Ghanaian government faces pressure to curb illegal mining, with calls for decisive action and prosecution of key culprits.