Cocoa Farmer Urges Authorities to Exhume Illegal Miner’s Body Buried by Mpohor District Police on His Farm.

A disturbing incident has unfolded in the Mpohor District of the Western Region, where a local cocoa farmer, Kwaku Kropa, is demanding the immediate exhumation of the body of an illegal miner, Kwame Rasta, who was buried on his farm without his consent. The burial was allegedly carried out by police officers from the Mpohor District Police Command, along with some community leaders, under questionable circumstances.

Tragic Death of Kwame Rasta

The deceased, Kwame Rasta, a known galamseyer (illegal miner), met his untimely death when he fell into an abandoned mining pit while working at a site. His lifeless body was retrieved from the water-filled pit and, instead of being taken to a mortuary or his family for proper burial, was hastily buried on January 17 at Nyame Na Onim, within the Mpohor District.

Farmer’s Account of the Unauthorized Burial

Speaking in an exclusive interview, Kwaku Kropa, the owner of the cocoa farm where the body was buried, recounted the shocking series of events leading up to the burial. He explained that he was away from his farm when he received a distressing call from his caretaker, who oversees his rubber plantation.

According to the caretaker, a galamseyer had drowned in a nearby river, and the police, along with some opinion leaders from the Tumantu community, had retrieved the body. They insisted that it had to be buried immediately due to its state of decomposition.

Kropa initially refused the request, but the police allegedly threatened to abandon the body on his farm if he did not comply. Feeling pressured and coerced, Kropa reluctantly agreed, assuming the police would not follow through. However, three days later, he discovered that the body had indeed been buried on his farm without his final consent.

Expressing his outrage, Kropa emphasized that his farm is not a cemetery and demanded that the police exhume the body immediately. He criticized the authorities for their lack of due process and disregard for his land rights.

Eyewitness Account of the Incident

To gain deeper insight into the events, our news team spoke with Kwame Ahanta, a local farmer who helped retrieve the body from the illegal mining pit. He provided a detailed account of what transpired.

Ahanta revealed that illegal miners had been operating in the area during that week. He recalled hearing a loud cry for help and, upon investigation, discovered that a miner had fallen into a deep pit and drowned.

Upon closer examination, Ahanta saw the lifeless body floating in the water. Instead of intervening directly, he advised that the community leader be informed, as they did not want to contaminate evidence before the police arrived.

When the community leader arrived, they discussed the ownership of the land where the accident occurred. It was identified as belonging to Kojo Budo from Agona Nkwanta, who had been operating the site through his associate, Iddrisu. When Iddrisu was contacted, he confirmed that the deceased, Kwame Rasta, was brought from the northern part of the country to work at the site.

According to Iddrisu, the deceased had been working at the site for only two days before he returned alone in the evening and fell into the pit.

Police’s Role in the Burial

After identifying the deceased, the police were contacted. Eight police officers arrived at the scene, took photographs of the body, and observed that Kwame Rasta had visible injuries on his face and shoulder.

The locals suggested that the body be taken to the chief’s palace for documentation, but instead, the police ordered an immediate burial on the spot. The community members, under police instruction, dug a hole and buried Kwame Rasta on Kropa’s farm, an action that has sparked public outrage.

Spiritual and Environmental Concerns

To explore the spiritual implications of the burial, the news team consulted Nana Kojo Sackey, a revered traditional leader from Assakae Busuapayin. He expressed grave concerns over the manner in which the burial was conducted.

He explained that traditional practices require proper burial rituals to be performed to prevent spiritual disturbances. The fact that the police conducted the burial without following proper traditional rites is considered a serious taboo that could have negative repercussions for the community.

Moreover, he highlighted a critical environmental concern the Nkwer River, which is close to the burial site, serves as a water source for nearby villages. He warned that the decomposing body could contaminate the water supply, posing serious health risks to residents of Mpohor, Assakae, Tumantu, and surrounding areas.

Authorities’ Response and Community Outrage

The news team reached out to Superintendent William Gyamfi, the District Commander of the Mpohor District Police Command, for an official statement on the matter. However, he denied knowledge of the incident and requested time to investigate.

This response raises serious concerns, as eyewitness accounts, including those of Kwaku Kropa and Kwame Ahanta, directly implicate the Mpohor Police in overseeing the burial. The lack of transparency and accountability from the authorities has fueled public frustration, with many questioning the police’s involvement in the unauthorized burial.

Farmer’s Demand for Justice

As the controversy intensifies, Kwaku Kropa remains firm in his demand for justice. He insists that his land must not be used as a burial ground, especially without his full consent.

Kropa has called on the appropriate authorities, including the Ghana Police Service, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and traditional leaders, to intervene and ensure the immediate exhumation of the body. He further demands an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the burial and the police’s role in the matter.

This incident raises serious legal, ethical, and environmental concerns. The decision to bury a body on private farmland without proper authorization or adherence to traditional burial rites has far-reaching implications. The Mpohor District Police Command now faces mounting pressure to provide answers and take the necessary steps to address the grievances of the affected farmer and the concerned community.

As investigations unfold, this case serves as a wake-up call for authorities to ensure proper procedures are followed in handling deaths, especially in illegal mining areas. It also highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of laws regulating illegal mining activities, which continue to pose grave risks to both human lives and the environment.