Joseph Nelson, the Western Regional Minister, has urged residents of Samreboi to joined government fight to combat illegal mining activities (galamsey).
The Western Regional Minister called on the Samreboi residents to help the government combat illegal mining along the River Tano and the River Samre to help avert flooding in the area.
Joseph Nelson made this known during a visit to affected communities where more than 1,340 residents were displaced by recent floods.
Speaking during a visit to affected communities, the Western Regional Minister stated, “For the long-term solution, we will need everybody to come on board. It is not going to be the effort of the government alone.
Together we have to stand up against illegal mining, especially on our river bodies. As we stand here, you cannot even quantify the extent of damage in this community; property and even money.
How do we avoid these things? We can only avoid them if we take a firm decision. That decision the government has already taken, but we will need the support of everybody,” he said.
He further assured affected residents of government support as efforts continue to respond to the flooding crisis.
Joseph Nelson highlighted that the residents’ cooperation in the fight against illegal mining will be critical to help safeguard property and livelihoods.
The development follows the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in the Wassa Amenfi West Municipality of the Western Region, who revealed that the severe flooding in parts of Samreboi and Asankragwa has collapsed more than 24 buildings.
Reports suggest the flooding was triggered by the overflow of the Samre and Tano rivers after heavy rainfall in the area.
Elvis Koffie, the Municipal Director of NADMO, revealed that the flood has caused significant damage to homes, properties, and livelihoods, with no deaths recorded.
He disclosed that affected residents have been moved to safer locations, revealing that the disaster followed heavy rains that swelled both rivers beyond their banks which led to the floodwaters consuming low-lying communities.
Speaking to Citi News, the Municipal Director of NADMO, Elvis Koffie, stated, “We have a safe place for them where they are currently living with their families”.
Earlier, drone footage was shared on social media showing the galamsey-prone town of Samreboi and its surrounding communities submerged in flood waters following a heavy downpour.
The video showed the entire Amenfi West Municipality of the Western Region submerged in muddy floodwaters.
Reports suggest over 180 houses in Aboi, Cocoase and Palazzo have been flooded, with thousands of residents fleeing their homes.
The video shared by EDHUB on X read, “Floodwaters have inundated the galamsey-prone town of Samreboi in the Wassa Amenfi West Municipality following a heavy downpour.
Drone footage shows the extent of the flooding across parts of the community”.
In other news, Sammi Awuku, the Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, has launched a scathing attack on the John Mahama government’s handling of youth unemployment.
The Akuapem North MP described the current economic situation as an “Indomie 1:3:3 economy”
According to Sammi Awuku, the Youth unemployment crisis is a National Security Concern and goes beyond an ‘indomie 1 3 3’.
The Member of Parliament for Akuapem North argued that even the government’s 24-hour Secretariat does not operate a 24-hour shift.
He highlighted that there is a growing trend among the youths were they they are now looking forward to applying for another course to obtain another degree without any clear employment opportunities after school.
