ARREST OF FOUR FARMERS COMBATING GALAMSEY IS OUTRAGEOUS -GROUP

The group Eco-Conscious Citizens has described as ‘Selective Justice’ the arrest of four farmers who were
acting against the pollution of the Atronsu Stream, the only source of drinking water in Atronsu
The group is especially outraged that the arrest came on 8th November, when Ghana was marking
Farmers' Day and acknowledging their importance to our National Wellbeing, four farmers have been
arrested in Atronsu.
The farmers who were arrested are also Community Activists heeding the President's call to be Active
Citizens and not Spectators. They were arrested for allegedly burning an excavator used by illegal
miners.
“Their arrest is in sharp contrast to the reluctance of the Police to arrest the illegal miners who have
been recklessly polluting the Atronsu Stream that provides life and sustenance to the Atronsu
community,” the group said in a statement.
It was signed by Awula Serwah, Eco-Conscious Citizens founder/coordinator.
They stated that it is of concern that the Illegal miners who have been actively poisoning the only source
of drinking water in Atronsu are walking free, whilst those who fight them, find themselves in custody.
Eco-Conscious Citizens explained that the Activists have for months been complaining about the
pollution of the once pristine Atronsu Stream, by illegal miners.
Despite their formal complaints, the illegal miners continued their criminal activities with impunity. Eco-
Conscious Citizens Coordinator Awula Serwah also informally complained to the Police and the EPA.
“The illegal miners were eventually arrested, but promptly given police bail. They were quick to return
to their illegal mining activities and pollution of the Atronsu Stream. The optics do not look good.
“The granting of bail to the illegal miners is in sharp contrast to the treatment of the anti-galamsey
demonstrators who were repeatedly denied police bail.
“Eco-Conscious Citizens therefore respectfully urge you to counter the growing impression that the
Police are facilitating the activities of illegal miners by intervening to ensure that the activists are
granted police bail.
“The growing perception of selective justice does not inspire confidence in Ghana Police, whose
mandate is to serve and protect.
“We note that even in war, poisoning of water bodies is a war crime. To appear to condone the criminal
activities of the illegal miners, whilst wielding the law heavily on the victims of the crime committed by
the miners would be an extremely unfortunate injustice.
“We respectfully appeal to you to urgently intervene in this matter,” the group stated.