Illegal miners have taken over the Hiawa Prisons Camp in the Amenfi Central District of the Western Region, raising serious concerns about the security of the facility.
Despite multiple complaints from prison authorities, both Chinese nationals and their Ghanaian partners continue to carry out illegal mining activities on the land.
An anonymous prison guard revealed that local chiefs and elders have been informed numerous times but have failed to act. The guard suspects that some community leaders may be benefiting from the illegal mining, complicating efforts to put an end to the operations.
According to 3news, the Ghana Prisons Service headquarters was made aware of the situation when the illegal mining first started. Senior officers visited the site, but no action has been taken, fueling suspicions that some high-ranking officials may also be involved.
A concerned resident of Hiawa has claimed that some prison officers have agreed to allow illegal miners to operate in exchange for benefits.
Meanwhile, the Ayensu River, which flows through the community, has become heavily polluted due to mining activities.
Despite mining laws prohibiting operations within 100 meters of a river, miners are reportedly digging directly in the water and dumping waste, including contaminated oil, into the river.
Additionally, sources from 3news suggest that senior figures from both the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) are allegedly involved in running the illegal mining operation.
