Illegal Miners Invade Land Behind Abandoned Adansi Asokwa Agenda 111 Hospital
The abandoned Agenda 111 hospital project at Adansi Asokwa in the Ashanti Region has reportedly become a site for illegal mining activities.
Large portions of land behind the hospital walls have been dug up by illegal miners in search of gold, raising serious concerns among residents.
The project, which was started in 2021 under the government’s Agenda 111 health initiative, was expected to provide modern healthcare services to people in Adansi Asokwa and nearby communities.
However, the facility has remained abandoned, and the surrounding land is now being damaged by galamsey operations.
During a visit to the area, illegal miners were seen working close to the hospital premises. Deep pits had been created across the land, while pipes connected to a mechanised borehole were being used to pump water for washing gold.
At least three excavators were also seen digging the ground at the site.
Muddy water and waste from the mining activities were flowing toward the hospital compound and nearby homes, creating fears about the environmental impact on the area.
Residents are even more worried because the illegal mining site is located only about 500 metres from the district assembly and the district police headquarters.
The Assembly Member for Bawdwesango, Agyekum, expressed disappointment over the situation.
He said it was painful to see illegal mining destroying fertile lands, especially when the police headquarters is close to the site. According to him, the continued destruction suggests that the authorities responsible for enforcing the law have failed to act.
Some residents have appealed to President John Dramani Mahama and other relevant authorities to intervene immediately to stop the illegal mining before it damages the hospital project further.
One resident said the facility was an important national investment funded with taxpayers’ money and must be protected.
Another resident called on traditional leaders to speak openly about those behind the illegal mining activities, saying the public deserves to know who is responsible.
Former Adansi Asokwa Member of Parliament, KT Hammond, also condemned the development, describing it as deeply disappointing.
He said he received information about the destruction from one of his constituents and could not remain silent while a project started during his time in office was being affected by illegal mining.
The Adansi Asokwa District Assembly has not yet commented on the matter, but residents are calling for urgent action to protect the hospital facility and stop the destruction of the surrounding land.
