Former Municipal Chief Executive Officer for Obuasi, Kwasi Ofori Agyemang-Boadi says he supports the youth of Obuasi involved in illegal mining.
The former MCE under the John Mahama administration believes, illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey’ is much preferable to armed robbery or other criminal activities.
Agyemang-Boadi, affectionately called King Zuba was speaking to host of Abusua FM’s late afternoon drive time show, Ike De-Unpredictable in an up-close and personal interview.
According to King Zuba, ”Anglo Gold Ashanti has destroyed every available farm land and the youth of Obuasi are no longer able to farm.”
“Go to Sanso in Obuasi and ask, about nineteen river bodies have been destroyed by the activities of Anglo Gold, a licensed mining company involved in such lawlessness.”
“Other means of economic livelihood have equally been destroyed by the activities of the mining companies and how do you expect the youth to survive,” he asked.
“Anglo Gold has caused major destruction in Obuasi than over one hundred galamsey operators could cause this country and this is a multi national company,” he said.
“It’s better to have the youth go into galamsey than venture into armed robbery or criminal ways and means of livelihood.”
“The other issue is that, about the one hundred and twenty staff of the Anglo Gold are not Obuasi, they are from the Eastern Region and other parts of the country…the actual Obuasi citizens have not been employed by the company, is it to say we are not educated or what,” he asked angrily.
Source: abusuafm