REGSEC swoops on illegal miners on Bonsa river

The Western Regional Security Council (REGSEC) last week sent the Police and Military to flush out illegal miners operating on the Bonsa River in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality.
The operation lasted two hours with three suspects rounded up by the security forces.
They are Joshua Boateng, 20 years, an excavator apprentice, Joshua Kyere Ishmael, 24 years, Washing Bay operator at Bogoso and Godwin Bagbetor, 29 year old taxi driver.

In addition, all water pumping machines at the various mining sites, solar panels providing electricity for the miners, gallons of diesel and petrol as well as temporary sheds erected at the sites were all set ablaze by the security forces.

Speaking to the media, the Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, expressed regret over the reckless pollution of river Bonsa by the illegal miners.

“It is so sad to see a river body as big as Bonsa being reduced to this. Today, they are unable to process the water because it is so heavily silted.”
Minister Joseph Nelson assured that the exercise would continue until the river banks in the region have been duly cleared off illegal mining activities and the water bodies purified to their natural states.

He explained that the main purpose for carrying out the operations, despite logistical challenges was to protect the river bodies. The level of pollution of the river, according to the Minister, had gotten out of hand and that it has forced the Ghana Water Company Limited to stop treating water from the river.

“We have had reports about galamsey activities along the Bonsar River, which is hampering the work of Ghana Water Company Limited to the extent that they are unable to supply Tarkwa Municipality and its environs with the needed potable water for their livelihoods. Today I have come to see things for myself and my worst fears have been confirmed,” he said.

The Minister, however, conceded that his outfit has logistical challenges, but that would not stop the resolve to flush out illegal miners from their various sites.

He reiterated his commitment to collaborating effectively with stakeholders especially the security forces to tackle the issue of illegal mining head-on.

“It needs commitment and that commitment I have to decisively deal with this issue,” Joseph Nelson concluded.

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