President John Mahama has stated that due to some people�s inordinate desire to get rich in a quick manner, Kyebi has been turned into �galamsey� (illegal mining) headquarters.
The President, who expressed shock at what he saw when he flew in a helicopter to Kyebi in the Eastern Region from the Afram Plains, said the activities of the illegal miners were impeding efforts to protect water bodies.
Mr. Mahama was commissioning a �7.9 million five-town water project in the town to end his two-day tour of the region. He said as a result of the �galamsey,� water bodies in the area had been polluted.
He noted that due to the pollution, four times more the quantity of alum was used to treat the Kyebi water than what was used in treating water in other surrounding towns like Apedwa, Kwabeng, Anyinam and Osenasi, before it is pumped for consumption. He urged the small-scale miners to go through the laid-down channel to carry out their operation.
On the issue of loans, Mr. Mahama noted that governing a country without borrowing is impossible, and so his administration would continue to take loans for developmental purposes.
�We will continue taking loans until thy kingdom come, because such loans are made available for projects, not that we spend it�,� Mr. Mahama said, adding that the current economy still stands strong.
The Okyehene, Osagyefuo Amotia Ofori Panin II whom the President called upon at his palace, tasked Mr. Mahama to work hard to put things right rather than doing partisan politics which has the tendency to impede the progress of the nation.
He further tasked the President to fulfill his promise regarding the repair of the deployable roads in the region.
Residents� Reactions
Some residents who were interviewed by DAILY GUIDE expressed disappointment in the President for tagging Kyebi as �galamsey headquarters.�
Adjoa Dora noted, �We thank the President for giving us water, but it is an insult to say that Kyebi as galamsey headquarters. For me it was a very bad speech, especially when he has not provided jobs for the teeming unemployed youth. It�s a shame!�
Some of the sub-chiefs and Assemblymembers in the East Akim Municipality told DAILY GUIDE that they supported the President in some respects but disagreed with him that Kyebi is �galamsey headquarters.��
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