Nana Quasie Essiem IV, Chief of Whindo in Effia Kwesimintsim, near Takoradi in the Western Region says illegal miners were led to the community and her house by a resident, who offered her GH¢2 million and other perks if she allow them to mine gold in the area. But she rejected the offer and ordered the seizure of the equipments, including excavator, changfang, power generators, water pumps and other accessories, which have since been transferred to the Western Regional Police Command in Sekondi in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. Nana Essiem said the young man who initially approached her returned with a long convoy of V8 SUVs, carrying Chinese investors with money, whom she sent away, and ordered that her gate never be opened for them again.
The Chief said the Whindo community has resolved to resist illegal mining in the area, with members of the community declaring stand behind her. They promise to not allow illegal miners destroy their community, pollute their environment with mercury, introduce drugs, and introduce their children to illegal activities and prostitution; vowing to stand behind Nana Quasie Essiem IV. Providing details about the experience, she said a member of the community approached her and informed her about bringing some Chinese investors to mine in the community. “I told him I am against the idea, even if he and the investors brought documents to mine legally, as long as I remain the Chief of the community, I disagree.
We have seen the threat that these illegal mining activities have brought to mining communities: daily reports about health issues, children abandoning the classroom, drugs and other social vices, among many others,” she said.