Dollar Power: Residents sensitised to curtail illegal mining and border protection
Since its establishment in 2015, Dollar Power, a mining and farming community in the Bole District of the Savannah Region, has grown to become one of the popular illegal mining sites in the country
The Ghana Boundary Commission, the Minerals Commission and the Forestry Commission have collectively expressed commitment to curtailing illegal mining activities and ensuring border protection in the well-known border town of Dollar Power, which shares a border with Cote d’Ivoire.
Dollar Power, one of the popular illegal mining sites in the country, has contributed to the destruction of natural resources as well as the removal of temporary boundary pillars at the border lines.
Speaking at a brief sensitisation programme on Thursday 13 April 2023, the national coordinator of the Ghana Boundary Commission, Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Kotia said the commission in collaboration with Ivorian Boundary Commission will be conducting a reaffirmation of boundary pillars to strengthen Ghana’s Western territorial integrity.
He also urged residents of Dollar Power to be watchdogs at the borders to ensure that teak trees planted to demarcate boundaries are protected.
“Very soon, we are going to conduct a reaffirmation of the land boundary with our counterpart from Cote d’Ivoire. It is important for the community to cooperate with the various agencies and the Ghana Boundary Commission.”
“We also want to appeal to you to continue to be watchdogs of the boundaries, markings and the teak plantations that have been used to inform the boundary markings along this area.”
Infrastructural development
The district chief executive of the Bole District, Veronica Alele Heming on her part assured the residents of Dollar Power of infrastructural projects that will enable easy movement.
“You are aware that there is no road between Cote d’Ivoire and Dollar Power and so we are going to ensure the construction of a feeder road as well as the bridge at Ntereso to enable easy movement in the town.”
Community mine scheme
The Deputy CEO of the Minerals Commission Samuel Tika in his address to the people of Dollar Power also announced that his outfit is committed to signing up a community mining scheme to enable small-scale miners in the town to practice safe and responsible mining.
“In a bid to regularise the activities of gold mining here, we had a lot of discussions at the minerals commission and with our minister and we have seen that it is very important to institute a community mine scheme in the dollar power community.”
Call for security
In a speech read on behalf of the town, the secretary of Dollar Power palace, Tahiru Mahama called for the establishment of various security agency posts including police and Immigration offices in the community to heighten security in the area.
“Security of the community is second to none apart from the local security at the Chief’s palace. We have zero security from the government.”
“We are appealing to the government that we are also Ghanaians and deserve this fundamental rights. We need Police post, Immigration, Military and other relevant security office present.”
Reporting by Andy Sepah in the Savannah region
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