Officials of the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) have served notice to Galamsey operators at Denkyira Brofoyedru in the Central region, to desist from mining activities close to their power transmission towers.

Activities of Galamsey miners have become a menace to power supply in some localities in the Central and Western North regions due to the close proximity of their activities to GRIDCo’s transmission towers. These activities have become a danger to the lives and safety of the illegal miners and the surrounding communities.

Additionally, it is threatening reliability of power supply to Bibiani, Juaboso, Dunkwa, Sefwi Wiawso and its environs as well as the Mining Companies operating in these areas.

In previous instances, the power transmission company has held consultative meetings with residents in the areas on the need to keep their distance from the transmission towers due to the dangers associated with it. In other cases, the Police have even intervened and made some arrests to discourage occupation under these towers. However, such activities still persist.

Commenting on the issue, Director for Northern Network Services at the Ghana Grid Company Limited, Ing. Vincent Boachie stated: “We have a responsibility to ensure the right thing is done; especially when it comes to the Right-of-Ways that house our transmission towers. For years, we have had issues with encroachers, who occupy these restricted areas and put their lives and safety in danger.

Beyond demolition exercises for recalcitrant encroachers, prosecutions will become another avenue for us to ensure our operations are not affected in the future. The Galamsey operators are perpetuating an illegality and, in the process, causing preventable power outages to the general populace and this must not be allowed to continue.”

Source: thebftonline.com