By Emmanuel Fletcher 
Anger and frustration boiled over at dawn on Monday, August 10, 2026, as traditional authorities and residents of Atronie in the Sunyani Municipality staged a massive protest against illegal mining. Hundreds of community members dressed in red and black blocked the busy Sunyani-Ntrotroso road, leaving motorists and travelers stranded for several hours.
The demonstration began around 5 a.m. with traditional elders performing sacred rites at the bridge over the River Amoma. Local leaders performed these customs to invoke protection over the river, which serves as the principal source of fresh drinking water for the entire community.
The protest stems from escalating galamsey activities taking place at Jinijini and surrounding areas within the Atronie Stool Land. Heavy mining equipment and chanfang machines operating along the riverbanks have turned clean streams into mud, leaving local households struggling to find potable water.
Local agriculture is also taking a heavy hit from the environmental damage. Farmers report that polluted water supplies make crop irrigation impossible, destroying livelihoods and threatening food production across the Sunyani Municipality.
Assembly Member for the Atronie Electoral Area, Richard Adu, issued an urgent appeal to President John Dramani Mahama and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS). He urged security forces to deploy teams immediately to drive away illegal operators and restore clean water access for residents.
Community members warn that they will keep escalating their protests until state authorities take decisive action to clamp down on galamseyers ruining their land and water resources.
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