Western Region Cracks Down on Illegal Mining, Seizes Equipment
The Western Regional Security Council, led by Regional Minister Joseph Nelson, conducted a major anti-galamsey operation along the Ankobra River in Evalue Ajomoro Gwira Constituency. The joint effort, involving the Ghana Immigration Service, Police, Takoradi Air Force, Western Naval Command, and Second Infantry Battalion, confiscated eight excavators, seven pump-action guns, 66 cartridges, and four mobile phones, while destroying water pumps and shelters used by illegal miners.
The operation targeted illegal mining sites in Ampasie, Atongo Junction, Petro, and Dominase, where farmlands, cocoa farms, and the Ankobra River face severe degradation. Residents like Kwasi Sarboah and Ekua Asantewaa reported that outsiders, not locals, dominate these activities, causing environmental damage and water contamination without providing local employment. Access to clean drinking water has become a significant challenge, exacerbating community concerns.
Brigadier General Musa Whajah (Rtd.), National Security Liaison Officer vowed ongoing operations, including potential canoe patrols, to restore the Ankobra and Pra rivers. He highlighted logistical challenges, such as limited resources and difficult terrain, but affirmed the team’s commitment. The operation aligns with President Mahama’s broader anti-galamsey campaign, following earlier 2025 actions that arrested 56 miners and destroyed equipment in Tarkwa-Nsuaem.
With all the crackdown and robust action, critics question enforcement consistency, noting past operations like Operation Vanguard faced similar logistical issues and allegations of selective punishment. The Ghana Environmental Advocacy Group has urged stronger government intervention, as the Ankobra’s pollution threatens public health and ecosystems. The Council’s efforts underscore the urgent need for sustainable solutions to curb galamsey’s environmental toll.