Regional News of Thursday, 5 February 2026

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Council of State Member clarifies claims of blocking cooperative mining in Eastern region

Eastern Regional Representative on the Council of State, Evelyn Korang Eastern Regional Representative on the Council of State, Evelyn Korang

The Eastern Regional Representative on the Council of State, Evelyn Korang, has flatly rejected and exposed what she describes as "a deliberate campaign of lies and political mischief being circulated on social media to tarnish her reputation and confuse the public."

She stated unequivocally that there is no government programme currently running called “Community Mining” under the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government and therefore any claim that she is blocking such a programme is baseless, dishonest and politically motivated.

“You cannot block what does not exist. These claims are absolute lies,” she stressed in a statement on February 5, 2026.

Korang accused the authors of the allegations of deliberately misleading the public to shield illegal mining interests who are uncomfortable with the current firm stance against galamsey in the Eastern Region.

She emphasised that no individual in public office has done more to facilitate legal and regulated mining processes in the region than she has, pointing to her direct, hands-on engagement with chiefs, youth groups and regulatory authorities to help communities regularize mining activities where the law permits.

“I have personally led chiefs and youth groups to the appropriate offices to acquire licences.

That is not obstruction—that is leadership,” she stated.

Korang revealed that she has on several occasions escorted the Ankaasehene, Bunsohene, Sekyerehene and organised youth groups to pursue lawful mining arrangements, insisting that any mining activity must follow the law and respect the environment.

She made it clear that the sudden attacks on her character coincide directly with recent enforcement actions against illegal miners, particularly operations triggered by a formal petition from the Bunsohene calling for urgent state intervention.

Mahama government reclaims 800 acres of galamsey-degraded land at Manso Nyankumase

According to her, the petition detailed armed illegal miners invading farmlands, cocoa lands and protected research areas, polluting water bodies, destroying livelihoods and creating fear in local communities.

“When the law begins to work, those who benefit from lawlessness begin to shout,” she said.

Korang dismissed attempts to link her to the enforcement actions by NAIMOS as a cowardly attempt to divert attention from criminal activity and intimidate public officials who refuse to compromise.

She warned that the NDC government will not bow to pressure from galamsey operators or their political sympathizers, stressing that the party’s commitment is to environmental protection, food security and the safety of local communities and not illegal profit.

“If defending cocoa lands, rivers and community safety makes me an enemy to illegal miners, then I wear that badge with honour,” she declared.

Evelyn Korang reaffirmed her resolve to continue working with traditional leaders, security agencies and state institutions to crush illegal mining while supporting only lawful, responsible and sustainable mining initiatives in the Eastern Region.

She concluded by urging the public to see through the propaganda, reject misinformation and stand firmly with leaders who are prepared to protect Ghana’s land and future, even when it is politically inconvenient.

Meanwhile, watch the excitement, divisions over Agradaa’s reduced sentence