Eco Conscious Citizens, a leading environmental advocacy group have petitioned the Inspector of General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohunu to cause charges against the Atronsu 5 to be dropped. The group is also urging the IGP to urgently deal with perceived pattern of intimidation and double standards in police treatment of activists fighting to save their communities from illegal and irresponsible mining. The Atronsu 5 are activists from Sefwi Atronsu in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality of the Western North Region. These 5 men who heeded the call to be Active Citizens and not Spectators were arrested on Farmers' Day, Nov. 8, 2024 by Inspector Ampem Darko of the Awaso Police Station for allegedly burning excavators used to pollute their landscape and Atronsu Stream, the only source of drinking water in the community. The activists, which include a Teacher and an Assemblyman, deny the charges. According to the petition, the illegal miners who were destroying the environment and polluting the Atronsu Stream are walking free, whilst the Atronsu 5 were refused police and court bail, and spent five nights in cells at Sefwi Bekwai Divisional Command. “They were denied police bail, despite assurances by Chief Superintendent Martin Eninghan, who was contacted whilst he was on his way to mark the Farmers' Day celebrations. It is not clear why the Atronsu 5, locals who did not present any flight risk, were arrested, refused Police bail and rushed to Court with indecent haste when the Police had not completed their investigations. The case has been adjourned on 5 occasions, because at each court date the Police had not yet completed their investigations. We are of the view that the justice system is being used to intimidate and cause inconvenience, distress and financial loss to activists”, the petition read.
The pristine river Atronsu that members of the community were protecting from the illegal miners. Picture taken in Feb. 2024
The group noted that, there seems to be a pattern with the Assemkrom 10 who effected a Citizen's Arrest of illegal miners, and who were also arrested and charged by the Police, while the illegal miners were freed to continue their nefarious activities. “Gwira Banso youth who recorded a viral video of illegal mining activity in the Draw River Forest Reserve in June 2025 were also arrested and detained by Axim Police while the illegal miners remained untouched to continue their destruction of a Globally Significant Biodiversity Area (GSBA). The list continues”, it added. The group revealed that, environmental activists are facing an existential threat in their line of duty and it is important that the Police are seen to be protecting life and not perceived to be using the justice system to intimidate activists on the ground. “Eco-Conscious Citizens and all concerned citizens join together to demand that charges be dropped to bring an immediate end to the intimidation and what is, by all intends and purposes, a case meant to frustrate and intimidate active citizens. There should be an enquiry into the actions of the Police personnel (In Atronsu, Assemkrom and Axim) involved in these intimidating, unpatriotic acts. The group however commended the IGP, Christian Tetteh Yohunu, on his fight against illegal mining, adding that, since taking office, they have seen real commitment on his side and the efforts being made by the police under his leadership.
IGP Tetteh Yohunu
“We are however, concerned about the continued intimidation and double standards exhibited by some of his men against activists on the ground”, The petition added. The Atronsu case has been adjourned to 31st July.