Illegal Miners Are My Worst Enemies; I’ll Fight Them –Akyemansa DCE

The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Akyemansa in the Eastern Region, Linda Ahenkora, has declared illegal miners in the district as her “worst enemies,” vowing to intensify efforts to curb the menace and protect the area’s water bodies and environment.

According to the DCE, the Akyemansa District Assembly has, since she assumed office, confiscated more than 300 Changfang and pumping machines and 105 boats and arrested over 50 individuals involved in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

She noted that the clampdown forms part of a broader strategy by the Assembly to tackle the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining activities in the district.

Illegal mining has over the years posed significant environmental threats in Akyemansa, particularly through the pollution of rivers and streams, destruction of farmlands, and increased health risks to residents.

Mrs. Ahenkora stressed that safeguarding the district’s natural resources remains a top priority for the Assembly.

“We will not relent in our efforts to protect our environment and water bodies,” she stated, adding that illegal mining activities were causing severe and sometimes irreversible damage to the ecosystem.

Collaboration with Security Agencies

The DCE explained that the Assembly was working closely with security agencies to clamp down on illegal mining operations across the district.

She disclosed that the Assembly was also collaborating with the Blue Water Guards, a special operations unit tasked with protecting water bodies from destruction.

The Operations Commander of the Blue Water Guards in Akyemansa, George Gyasi, said their operations in the district began on January 5 this year.

He indicated that the task force has already carried out several operations, particularly around the Pra River and Birim River, where numerous illegal mining machines, including Changfang and pumping equipment, have been seized.

Mr. Gyasi also dismissed reports circulating in some communities suggesting that confiscated equipment had been returned to illegal miners.He described the claims as false and reiterated the task force’s commitment to ending illegal mining activities in the district.

“The equipment is not being returned. We remain determined to stop the destruction of our water bodies and will continue to clamp down on illegal miners until they cease their operations,” he stated.

Authorities in Akyemansa say the Assembly, in collaboration with security agencies, will sustain the crackdown on illegal mining in order to restore degraded lands, protect water sources, and safeguard the health and livelihoods of residents.

 

 

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