Nine galamseyers arrested, over 23 changfans destroyed in anti-galamsey raid
Nine suspected illegal miners have been arrested, and 23 changfans destroyed along the Ankobra River at Prestea in the Western Region by the government’s anti-galamsey task force, Operation Halt.
This operation was part of a larger effort involving over 100 soldiers, deployed to combat illegal mining (galamsey) activities in key areas across the Eastern, Central, and Western Regions.
In Prestea Nakaba, 33 grinding machines, 27 water pumps, 23 changfans, and three changfan boards were destroyed, and a motorbike was burned.
The suspects, comprising 18 Ghanaians and 2 Chinese nationals, were caught red-handed at mining sites in Abirem Roman Missionary House Down on Saturday, October 12, 2024.
The task force retrieved two excavators, mining equipment, and two pumping machines during the special operation.
These efforts come amidst increasing pressure from professional bodies and civil society organizations to address the widespread environmental destruction caused by galamsey.
Galamsey has devastated Ghana’s rivers and environment, prompting calls for a state of emergency.