Nzema East Municipal Security Council (MUSEC) has arrested 20 individuals engaged in illegal mining activities during a special operation led by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Hon. Herbert Kuah Dickson.
The joint taskforce, comprising personnel from the Axim Divisional Command of the Ghana Police Service, the National Investigation Bureau (NIB), and the Blue Water Guard team, conducted the raid on Saturday, targeting illegal mining sites in Akango, Abelebo, and Duale – areas along the River Ankobra.
According to a statement issued by the Office of the MCE on Monday, 16th June 2025, the operation, which was fully sponsored by the Municipal Assembly, aimed to clamp down on the rampant destruction of water bodies and forest areas by illegal miners.
During the exercise, six excavator control boards were seized, and 35 chamfan machines and dredging boats were destroyed.
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MCE Hon. Kuah Dickson cautioned individuals and groups engaging in galamsey to halt their operations immediately, warning that the Assembly is poised to carry out similar unannounced actions to protect the environment.
He also urged traditional authorities and opinion leaders in forested and riverine communities, particularly along the River Ankobra, to stop leasing lands to illegal miners and refrain from aiding or abetting these environmentally destructive practices.
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“The Assembly is committed to ensuring our water bodies and forest areas are maintained devoid of pollution and destruction by recalcitrant people,” the statement read.
Below is a copy of the statement:
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Risa Wyettey Cofie
