Bekwai Quarry Protest Should Be A Wake-Up Call For Regulators

Hundreds of residents from Amoamo, Anwiam, Adankragya and Amenase in the Bekwai Municipality of the Ashanti Region have staged a peaceful demonstration against Day Shine Quarry Company over alleged environmental degradation, destruction of property and health risks associated with its operations.

Dressed in red and black, the protesters marched through the communities to register their displeasure, accusing the quarry firm of causing extensive damage to buildings, farmlands and other household property through constant blasting activities.

According to the residents, the persistent vibrations have left cracks in several houses, while excessive dust generated by the quarry has exposed community members to respiratory illnesses and rendered farming increasingly difficult.

Leading the demonstration, the Assembly Member for the Adankragya Electoral Area, Nhyiraba Abigail, alleged that despite numerous complaints to the company and the previous municipal administration, no meaningful action had been taken to address the concerns of affected residents or compensate victims for their losses. She warned the company to suspend operations and engage the affected communities within one week or risk further demonstrations.

Residents also appealed to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, to intervene and ensure justice for the affected communities. They insisted they were not opposed to quarrying activities but wanted the company to operate responsibly by adhering to environmental and safety standards, including providing prior notice before blasting.

Receiving the petition, a representative of Day Shine Quarry Company, Isaac Padi, assured residents that management would address their concerns. The Bekwai Municipal Assembly and the Adankragya Traditional Council also pledged to take proactive steps to safeguard public health and protect the environment.

The demonstration by residents of Amoamo, Anwiam, Adankragya and Amenase against the operations of Day Shine Quarry Company should not be dismissed as another routine community protest. It is a serious warning that demands urgent attention from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Minerals Commission and the Bekwai Municipal Assembly.

The allegations raised by the affected residents are grave. Claims of cracked buildings, destroyed farmlands, excessive dust pollution and worsening respiratory illnesses point to possible breaches of environmental and operational standards. Even more troubling is the assertion that repeated complaints to the company and the previous municipal administration produced little or no response. If true, this reflects a worrying failure of regulatory oversight.

Quarrying remains an important contributor to Ghana’s infrastructure and economic development. However, such activities cannot come at the expense of the health, safety and livelihoods of surrounding communities. Environmental permits are not mere formalities; they come with strict conditions on blasting schedules, dust suppression, environmental monitoring, community engagement and compensation where damage occurs. Regulators exist to ensure these conditions are respected.

The EPA, in particular, must immediately conduct an independent environmental audit of the quarry’s operations. This should include structural assessments of damaged buildings, air quality monitoring, an investigation into blasting practices and verification of whether the company is complying with all permit conditions. The Bekwai Municipal Assembly must also investigate the residents’ claims and ensure that any violations are addressed without delay.

Equally important is the need for transparent engagement between the company and the affected communities. Dialogue should not begin only after protests erupt. Communities deserve prior notice of blasting activities, regular environmental monitoring reports and a clear grievance mechanism through which complaints are investigated promptly.

Development and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive. Responsible mining and quarrying can coexist with healthy communities if companies operate within the law and regulators perform their statutory duties without fear or favour.

The protest in Bekwai must, therefore, serve as a wake-up call. Government agencies should act swiftly to establish the facts, enforce environmental regulations where necessary and restore public confidence. Ignoring the concerns of affected residents today could lead to more severe environmental degradation, deeper public distrust and heightened social tensions tomorrow.

 

For more news, join The Chronicle Newspaper channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBSs55E50UqNPvSOm2z

 

The post Bekwai Quarry Protest Should Be A Wake-Up Call For Regulators appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.

Read Full Story