Kinjor, Grand Cape Mount County – The Community Sustainable Development Platform (CSDP) hosted a daylong Town Hall meeting in Grand Cape Mount County on Sunday, June 22, 2025, with an emphasis on water, land, and other natural resource contamination that impacts Indigenous people in an effort to address the mounting environmental problems.
More than fifty locals from nearby towns and villages, including Gekanora, Nagbana, Wangakor, Vai Town, and others, attended the gathering in Kinjor. The event’s main goal was to educate and enlighten the local population about the purported pollution associated with Bea Mountain Mining Corporation’s operations, which has long been a source of conflict in the area.
Residents expressed their worries about the worsening environmental conditions in their neighborhoods and shared their personal stories throughout the event. The impact of polluted soil, water, and air on livelihoods, agriculture, and health was emphasized during the session.
Mr. Kiawu, the Chief Executive Officer of CSDP, spoke at the end of the session and called the situation “consistently embarrassing” and “deeply troubling” for the impacted communities.
He underlined the critical necessity for ongoing community education programs and awareness efforts to provide locals with information about environmental threats and their rights.
“The heartbreaking testimonies we heard today underscore the necessity of swift and consistent action,” Mr. Kiawu stated. “In order to maintain awareness of these important issues, our organization is still dedicated to regularly interacting with impacted communities,” he added.
Similar concerns were expressed by Mr. Alex Fahnbulleh, Chairperson of the Affected Communities of Kinjor, and Madam Satta Kiawu, Chairlady of Medina Town, who both spoke to reporters at the end of the event.
They cited various types of pollution that have harmed agriculture, health, and access to clean drinking water, painting a somber picture of daily living under the shadow of environmental destruction.
“We live in continual terror. The food we cultivate, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe are all under danger,” Madam Kiawu stated.
Mr. Fahnbulleh said, “Our people are suffering, and we urgently need support—not just from organizations like CSDP, but also from the government and stakeholders.”
The Town Hall ended with a joint appeal for accountability and remedial action from the Bea Mountain Mining Corporation, government officials, and environmental organizations.
In order to restore the ecological balance and safeguard public health, community members and leaders emphasized the necessity of frequent environmental assessments, open communication, and remediation initiatives.
In order to guarantee that the opinions of those most impacted by environmental injustices are heard and taken into consideration, CSDP has committed to carrying on with its outreach, education, and advocacy initiatives throughout the region in collaboration with local communities.
Reported by: Sylvester Tamba
