The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Abuakwa South, Nana Adu Sarpong Addo-Aikens, has unveiled an aggressive new approach to tackling illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, targeting not only miners but also their financiers.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Municipal Anti-Illegal Mining Taskforce in Kyebi, the MCE, who also chairs the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), emphasized that the crackdown would go beyond arresting miners on site to tracing and prosecuting those funding the operations.
“Even if it means going to the homes of suspected sponsors to arrest and arraign them before the courts, it would be pursued ruthlessly,” the MCE warned.
He also directed security agencies to arrest anyone seen dressed in typical galamsey attire—carrying head pans, pickaxes, shovels, or metal detectors—for investigations.
“Additionally, we have become accustomed to the way they appear so if anyone is seen dressed up for menial work and carrying head pans, pick axes, shovels, and metal detectors, he or she would be arrested on probable cause and thoroughly investigated,” he added.
The announcement comes amid ongoing disruptions at the Kyebi water treatment plant, which has faced intermittent shutdowns due to heavy pollution of the Birim River, rendering raw water untreatable.
Nana Adu Sarpong Addo-Aikens stressed that the worsening water crisis necessitated tougher measures.
“If the quest for illicit wealth means the rest of us should die of thirst and disease, then diplomacy is no longer an option,” he warned.
The newly inaugurated taskforce comprises members of MUSEC, including personnel from the Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, National Intelligence Bureau, and Ghana National Fire Service, supported by traditional authorities.
The MCE also emphasized zero tolerance for corruption within the taskforce.
“Nananom, it is often alleged that our Security Personnel, particularly the Police visit mining sites, sometimes three (3) times in a day to extort money from illegal miners, instead of stopping or arresting them. Going forward, all such allegations will be thoroughly investigated and those found culpable will be severely dealt with,” he said.
The MCE called on chiefs, opinion leaders, and residents to support the taskforce and warned political actors against shielding or benefiting from galamsey operators.
“We owe it to the next generation to preserve our water, land, and forests. The water we pollute today is the same water our children will thirst for tomorrow,” he cautioned.
The taskforce has been tasked with ensuring that all illegal miners on the Birim River are removed and their equipment destroyed within a month to restore the river to its natural state.
Kyebihene, Osabarima Marfo Kwabrane, speaking on behalf of Okyenhene Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, pledged full support for the initiative, describing it as a continuation of the chief’s long-standing efforts to combat illegal mining.
He expressed hope that the Birim River would soon be restored to its former glory.
The taskforce has already begun operations, visiting illegal mining sites along the Birim River, destroying some mining machines, confiscating others, and making arrests.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh
