Destroying Jimi River for gold could cost us our lives – Asantehene

Speaking after inspecting the heavily degraded Jimi River and the Jimi Dam near Obuasi, the Asantehene said he understands why many young people turn to galamsey, but cautioned that irresponsible mining will leave lasting consequences.

He was accosted by some youth at the dam during the inspection, which is part of the 153-hectare Jimi Land Reclamation and River Watercourse Rehabilitation Project, a pilot under the Green Ashanti Initiative which is being led by Oheneba Nana Kwaku Dua with support from AngloGold Ashanti.

The Asantehene was visibly distraught after seeing how illegal miners at Tasliman had diverted the course of the Jimi River with heaps of sand, causing siltation and threatening the Jimi Dam which treats water for over 200,000 people in Obuasi and Adansi.