The General Officer Commanding the Central Command of the Ghana Armed Forces, Brigadier General Joseph Aduko Aphour, has said the military’s anti-Galamsey operation has been successful but for the burning of two excavators that spread to a nearby residence of the illegal miner.
Armed Military personnel who are members of the anti-galamsey task force set ablaze four excavators parked at a private residence of a man believed to be a small-scale miner.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, 23rd February 2022 at Ntobronso, a Community at the Nkawie District in the Ashanti Region.
The fire spread to a private residence of a miner destroying properties worth thousands of Ghana cedis.
But, addressing the media on the incident, the Central Commander said there were efforts by the Military to control the fire by calling in the Fire Service but this was thwarted by the residents who were throwing stones at his men.
“I must say the operation was successful but sadly the unfortunate incident happened during the operations. Around 07:30 hours one of our team deployed at Ntobronso at the Nkawie District sighted four excavators which have been used for massive destruction on the River Offin.
“These excavators were moved and parked by the river, which is also close to the settlement. Two of the excavators were set ablaze. But tragically a close-by house which was being used by the illegal miners had fuel storage to supply fuel for the excavators caught fire,” he narrated.
Brig. Gen. Aphour noted that the objective of the exercise is to halt illegal mining activities within the red zones of the region where they have chalked some successes.
“As Ghanaians, we all know what the activities of illegal mining are doing to our country. The main effort of the Command is to ensure operations achieve their mandate. Which is safe the water bodies and forest reserves from the wanton destruction which is been unleashed on them by the illegal miners,” he stated.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5fm
