Several illegal miners took to their heels in the Atiwa East and West Districts when the joint taskforce commissioned by the government to deal with the menace stormed the area on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
The taskforce working under the code-name Operation Halt 2 commenced operations in the Birim basin to rid the area of illegal miners who have destroyed the quality of the water.
Upon learning of the team’s arrival in the area, several illegal miners operating in the Birim basin disappeared leaving behind their machines.
Commanding Officer of the Joint Taskforce Colonel Eric Tenadu told the media that, this phase of Operation Halt 2 will focus on rivers and other water bodies.
“For this phase, our instruction is to ensure we chase out every miner whether legal or illegal operating in our water bodies,” he said.
The phase is expected to last for two weeks and will see the taskforce storming all water bodies to ensure miners operating there are chased out.
“We have two weeks to carry out this instruction and our mandate is to chase out every miner operating in our water bodies,” Col. Tenadu disclosed.
Various groups have mounted pressure on the government to urgently deal with the pollution of water bodies caused by the activities of illegal miners.
Despite organized labour calling off its strike after a meeting on Wednesday, the University Teachers Association of Ghana have since voted to embark on an industrial action to force the government to act.
In response to the demands of organized labour and other groups, the government commissioned Operation Halt 2 to rid the
forest reserves and water bodies of illegal miners.
The team started work in the early hours of Thursday in the Atiwa East and West Districts targeting both legal and illegal miners operating on water bodies.
The operation also led to the destruction of some tents, generator sets, and other items used by the miners in the area.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Musah Lansah
