For years, the community’s uncompromising stance against the illegal activity had largely kept perpetrators of what residents describe as environmental destruction, at bay.  

However, the situation appears to be changing as some natives have reportedly begun releasing their lands to illegal miners since last year, a development many residents say must be stopped immediately before it escalates. 

Concerned about the emerging trend, the community organised a stakeholder forum to deliberate on practical steps to collectively address the growing threat and reinforce the community’s long-standing resistance to galamsey. 

The meeting, which received support from natives of Morso living in the United Kingdom (UK), brought together key stakeholders who have critical roles to play in protecting the community’s lands.  

Participants included traditional leaders, opinion leaders, assembly members, women representatives, youth groups, and members of the Morso diaspora in the UK who joined in solidarity with the local community. 

Notably absent from the forum were two key stakeholders – the Municipal Chief Executive and the Municipal Police Commander, both of whom had been invited to participate in the discussions. 

After extensive deliberations, participants unanimously resolved that the community would not allow the continued destruction of their lands in the name of mining activities that benefited only a few individuals, most of whom are not natives of Morso. 

The community emphasised that, they had a collective responsibility to protect their lands for current and future generations, noting that, the preservation of the environment was critical not only for socio-economic development but also for safeguarding the health and livelihoods of residents. 

As part of the resolutions reached at the meeting, the community announced that any native who released land to illegal miners would automatically forfeit ownership of that land.  

In the decision they said such lands would revert to the community after they had been reclaimed from the illegal operators. 

Mr Kwaku Asante Boateng, the Member of Parliament, urged residents to remain united and resist any attempts by illegal miners to infiltrate the community. 

He warned that the destruction of forests, water bodies and farmlands through illegal mining posed serious threats to public health, food production and the ecosystem that sustained the livelihoods of the people. 

Mr Boateng acknowledged that illegal mining was ongoing during the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration but argued that, the situation had worsened under the current government.  

He therefore, called on the people of Morso to employ all legitimate means to protect their lands and prevent illegal miners from gaining a foothold in the community. 

Natives of Morso living in the United Kingdom also expressed strong disapproval of the recent development, where some lands were being released to illegal miners.  

They stressed that the destruction of the environment would ultimately undermine the future of the community and erode the natural resources upon which residents depended. 

The diaspora members pledged their full support to the community’s efforts to combat galamsey, assuring residents that they would continue to contribute resources, advocacy and strategic support to ensure that Morso remained free from illegal mining activities. 

They urged residents at home to remain vigilant and united in defending their lands, emphasising that, protecting the environment today was essential for the prosperity and wellbeing of future generations of Morso.