JoyNews Reporter Accused of Blackmail, Personal Agenda

Elders and leadership of Manso Tontokrom in the Amansie South District of the Ashanti Region are accusing JoyNews environmental journalist, Erastus Asare Donkor, of using his anti-galamsey campaign to pursue a personal agenda against the community.

The elders claim the journalist has consistently portrayed Tontokrom residents as perpetrators of illegal activities, thereby using his reportage to incite security personnel against them.

They alleged that the reporter’s recent assertions and reportage were intended to advance the interests of a foreign mining firm at the expense of local residents, who depend on mining for their livelihoods, insisting that their activities do not pollute any river.

The accusations follow a Facebook post by Mr Donkor alleging that powerful political interests were protecting illegal mining activities in Manso Tontokrom, emboldening miners to confront security personnel during a recent National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) operation on the River Offin.

“There is a lot of political backing for the deep-seated galamsey in Manso Tontokrom. That’s why miners will dare soldiers. NAIMOS indeed restrained itself. That jinx must be broken,” he wrote.

However, the community leaders have rejected what they describe as attempts to associate Tontokrom indiscriminately with any negative activity, insisting that the journalist’s reportage is misleading and capable of exposing residents to military brutality.

Speaking to The Archives, the elders questioned the motive behind what they described as the journalist’s persistent negative coverage of the community and challenged him to substantiate his claims of political protection for illegal miners.

They demanded that he identify the politicians allegedly backing illegal mining activities in the area, insisting that the community should not be subjected to blanket accusations without evidence.

The elders also warned that they would not tolerate any deliberate attempts to tarnish the community’s image.

They called on the journalist to return any inducements or benefits he might have received from interested parties, claiming they were also aware of his dealings with some quarters.

Previous Reports

The leadership cited what they described as a pattern of inaccurate reporting, recalling an incident in March this year when a mining pit collapsed at Atta Ne Atta, near Hwidiem in the Asutifi South District.

According to them, JoyNews initially reported that the incident had occurred at Tontokrom, a claim they insist was inaccurate and unfairly associated the community with the tragedy.

They also cited a separate incident at Abobosu Forest involving miners and an anti-galamsey task force, where the journalist again allegedly mentioned Tontokrom in his reportage even though the incident had no connection with the community.

The community elders said such reports had reinforced what they consider an unjustified public perception of Tontokrom as a hotspot for illegal mining.

They warned that Mr Donkor would be held responsible should his reportage result in attacks or any military brutality against residents, insisting that journalists must exercise professionalism and verify their facts before associating communities with criminal activities.

River Offin Operation

According to JoyNews, NAIMOS, with support from personnel of the Ghana Navy Special Boat Squadron, recently returned to the River Offin to dismantle equipment allegedly being used for illegal mining and polluting the waterbody.

The operation was conducted at Nipanekro in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region, following an earlier attempt to stop illegal mining activities along the river, which reportedly encountered stiff resistance from Changfan operators.

In a report by Mr Donkor, Navy personnel deployed an inflatable boat to cross the river and access the opposite bank, where the mining equipment was located.

The miners reportedly abandoned their rafts and fled as the security personnel advanced, with the team subsequently pursuing some operators towards areas leading to Manso Tontokrom.

The security personnel immobilised equipment found in and around the river.

The operation reportedly encountered another challenge when a group of suspected illegal miners began mobilising from nearby communities.

Drone footage, according to the JoyNews report, showed a group gathering about two miles from the operation site, with some individuals allegedly carrying pump-action guns and threatening to confront the security personnel.

NAIMOS reportedly maintained its position but exercised restraint, opting not to engage the group unless necessary. The gathering eventually dispersed without a confrontation.

The latest operation followed an earlier attempt to clear illegal mining activities from the River Offin, which reportedly faced resistance from Changfan operators who challenged the security personnel to cross the river.

NAIMOS Commander, Colonel S.K. Appiah, said the team remained committed to sustaining operations to rid the river of illegal mining activities.

The operations form part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal mining and protect the country’s waterbodies from pollution.