Stone quarries in the Afigya Kwabre South District of the Ashanti Region are facing a pressing issue of encroachment by private home developers. These developers are constructing homes within a 500-meter radius of the quarries, putting the lives of residents at risk whenever there is a blast at the quarries.
A recent assessment by the Ashanti Regional Security Council revealed that many homeowners have violated regulations by building within the buffer zones. Some of the homes are already completed, while others are still under construction, but all are situated dangerously close to the quarries.
According to a report by JoyNews’ Nana Yaw Gyimah, the blasting activities at the quarries have affected some of the houses built within the buffer zone. The Afigya Kwabre South Assembly admitted that many of these houses were constructed without their knowledge.
Christian Adu Poku, the District Chief Executive, expressed the challenges they face in preventing people from building in the buffer zones. He mentioned instances where buildings were rapidly erected, making it difficult to halt construction once it reaches a certain stage.
Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei Mensah, issued a plea to the public to refrain from purchasing land in the area as it lacks proper documentation. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a buffer of 500 meters between residential areas and quarry sites to ensure safety.
The Minister also appealed to the chiefs to refrain from selling land within the buffer zones of mining companies to avoid further encroachment issues. The encroachment not only poses a risk to the safety of residents but also leads to damages such as cracks in buildings and spoilt electrical gadgets when blasting occurs.
The situation calls for a collective effort to address the encroachment issue and safeguard the lives and properties of residents in the Afigya Kwabre South District. It is crucial for all stakeholders to work together to enforce regulations and prevent further violations within the buffer zones.
