The abandoned Agenda 111 hospital project at Adansi Asokwa in the Ashanti Region, has reportedly become a hub for illegal mining activities, with large portions of land behind the facility extensively excavated by galamsey operators in search of gold.
According to a JoyNews report, the multi-million-cedi hospital project, which has remained abandoned for years, is not only serving as a haven for reptiles but has also become a centre for illegal mining operations.
Residents of the Adansi Asokwa District have, for years, witnessed widespread illegal mining activities in the area, with the latest operations taking place directly behind the walls of the Agenda 111 project.
When a JoyNews team visited the site, deep open pits were seen scattered across a vast stretch of land immediately behind the abandoned hospital.
The report indicated that miners were actively excavating the area, laying pipes connected to a mechanised borehole and pumping water to wash and process gold-bearing soil.
At least three excavators were reportedly operating at the site, digging up the earth in search of the precious mineral.
The report further noted that, muddy sludge generated by the mining activities was visibly flowing into sections of the hospital premises and nearby residential areas.
What has raised further concern among residents is the proximity of the illegal mining site to key state institutions.
The galamsey operations are said to be taking place approximately 500 metres from both the District Assembly and the District Police Headquarters.
Assembly Member for Bawdwesango Electoral Area, Agyekum, expressed frustration over the situation.
“It is heartbreaking to see illegal mining destroying our arable lands. What worries me most is that the District Police Headquarters is located right beside this galamsey site, yet the destruction continues unabated.
It appears as though those responsible for enforcing the law have turned a blind eye to what is happening,” he said.
The hospital project was initiated in 2021 under the erstwhile NPP government’s Agenda 111 healthcare programme to provide modern healthcare services to residents of Adansi Asokwa and surrounding communities.
Residents, who had hoped for the facility’s completion and operationalisation, now fear the environmental impact of the mining activities could further threaten the project.
One resident appealed for urgent intervention saying, “we are pleading with the President and all the relevant authorities to act immediately to stop this menace before it destroys this important national investment”.
Another resident called for transparency regarding those behind the mining activities.
“We want our traditional leaders to speak the truth about who is responsible for this illegal mining. The people deserve to know who is behind an activity that could destroy a state project funded by taxpayers’ money.”
Former Member of Parliament for the area, Kobina Tahiru Hammound, also condemned the development.
“I received a report from one of my constituents, and considering the environmental destruction within the facility which was commenced during my tenure, I cannot sit aloof and allow this ‘nonsense’ to continue,” he stated.
The District Assembly had not officially commented on the matter as of the time of the report, while residents continued to demand urgent action to protect the hospital facility and prevent further environmental degradation.
