The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Atwima Mponua, Hon. Isshaq Ibrahim, has led a joint security taskforce to clamp down on illegal mining activities along the Agogoso and Offin Rivers near Nyinahin. The operation, carried out over the weekend, resulted in the arrest of eight illegal miners and the destruction of several mining equipment.
The taskforce, made up of security personnel and local authorities, destroyed 15 changfan machines and over 150 makeshift tents erected by the miners. In addition, more than 100 pumping machines and 15 metal detectors were confiscated, while one executor was also picked up during the swoop.
Speaking after the operation, Hon. Isshaq Ibrahim emphasized that the exercise was a necessary step to safeguard water bodies that serve as a lifeline for thousands of residents in the district.
“The move was aimed at protecting the sanctity of the rivers that supply water to countless people across Atwima Mponua. We cannot sit unconcerned while galamsey operators destroy our natural resources,” the DCE stressed.
He further issued a stern warning to illegal miners who continue to operate in the district despite government’s ban on galamsey. According to him, the assembly, together with security agencies, will intensify efforts to root out all illegal mining activities in order to preserve the environment for future generations.
Hon. Isshaq also appealed to residents to support the fight against galamsey by providing timely information to the authorities. He noted that protecting the environment is a shared responsibility, and without community support, the menace cannot be fully eradicated.
“Galamsey destroys not only our rivers but also our farmlands, forests, and livelihoods. I am urging all residents to join hands with us in this fight to protect our district,” he added.
The recent operation forms part of the government’s broader campaign against illegal mining, which continues to pose a major threat to Ghana’s water bodies, agriculture, and sustainable development.
