The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Akyemansa in the Eastern Region, Linda Ahenkora, has disclosed that the District Assembly has confiscated more than 300 Changfang and pumping machines, as well as 105 boats, and arrested over 50 persons involved in illegal mining since she assumed office.
According to her, the measures form part of intensified efforts by the Assembly and security agencies to clamp down on illegal mining activities, widely known as galamsey, which have severely affected the district’s environment and water bodies.
Speaking on the matter in a media interview, the DCE condemned the activities of illegal miners, describing them as her “worst enemies”. She stressed that the Assembly would continue to pursue decisive action against individuals destroying the district’s natural resources.
Galamsey
She indicated that illegal mining operations had caused significant environmental damage in the district, including pollution of rivers and streams, destruction of farmlands, and serious health risks for local communities.
Ms. Ahenkora explained that protecting the environment and safeguarding water bodies would remain a key priority of her administration, adding that the Assembly would not relent in its efforts to combat the menace.
She further noted that the district had intensified collaboration with security agencies to strengthen enforcement actions against illegal miners. According to her, these efforts have also been supported by the Blue Water Guard, a special operations unit tasked with protecting the country’s water bodies from destruction.
Blue Water Guard operations
Operations Commander of the Blue Water Guard in Akyemansa, George Gyasi, confirmed that their operations in the district began on January 5 this year, and had since led to several successful interventions.
Mr. Gyasi stated that the unit had undertaken targeted operations around the Prah and Birim rivers, areas identified as hotspots for illegal mining activities. He explained that the operations resulted in the seizure of numerous mining equipment, including Changfang and pumping machines, as well as the arrest of several illegal miners.
He also dismissed claims circulating in some quarters that confiscated equipment had been returned to the illegal miners. According to him, such allegations were unfounded and did not reflect the ongoing commitment of the authorities to halt illegal mining in the district.
No undermining
Mr. Gyasi maintained that the confiscated machines remained in the custody of the authorities and stressed that the security agencies would not tolerate any attempt to undermine the fight against the destruction of water bodies.
He therefore cautioned individuals engaged in illegal mining to desist from their activities, warning that the task force would continue to intensify its operations until the pollution of the district’s rivers and streams comes to an end.
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