Government has intensified its efforts to fight against illegal gold mining activities commonly referred to as galamsey as part a broader strategy to protect the rivers and the environment in the country.
Accordingly, the Military High Command in collaboration with the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners, yesterday undertook a special operation to clampdown on galamseyers, particularly on water bodies.
As part of this operation, changfan machines commonly used for illegal gold extraction together with other industrial equipment, were seized and burnt on the banks of the Birim River.
The Military’s involvement in this anti-galamsey operation followed government’s recent announcement of the deployment of armed forces to crackdown on illegal mining activities under the enhanced “Operation Halt” initiative.
The Birim River, which is a critical source of water for Ghana Water Company, has experienced vicious pollution due to illegal activities of miners, prompting swift action by government.
The military-led task force made its first stop at Anyinam, in the Atiwa East District of the Eastern Region, a known hotspot for illegal mining.
The destruction of illegal mining equipment marks a significant step towards restoring the Birim River and curbing further environmental degradation.
It envisaged that the collaboration between the small-scale miners and the military will be a critical move in fighting the illegal mining menace, which has severely impacted Ghana’s water bodies and ecosystems.
Assurances
The Commander of the Operation Halt Task Force, Col. Eric Tenadu has indicated that the military will station around the Birim River and other targeted areas for the next two weeks as part of the first phase of the operation.
He was optimistic that the operation would lead to a significant improvement in the condition of water bodies affected by illegal mining.
“We are launching this operation to make sure that we clear our water bodies. Whether registered or unregistered, we don’t care, our concern is the water body, so far as you are close to the water body, you are our target.
“We are confident that the water bodies will start to regain their natural state,” he stressed.
Col. Tenadu emphasised that restoring these vital water sources, which have been severely polluted by galamsey activities, is a key objective of the task force.
Organised labour demands
The renewed ‘Operation Halt’ crackdown followed public pressure from organised labour and anti-galamsey advocates, demanding urgent government action.
Organised labour had threatened to embark of on industrial strike beginning from yesterday October 10, 2024.
However, the strike action was suspended after assurances from government that it is highly committed to fighting against galamsey, calling on all stakeholders to join the fight the galamsey menace.
