Galamsey: Seven excavators, weapons confiscated as Ashanti taskforce storms River Pra
A joint taskforce, comprising personnel from National Security, the Ghana Police Service, the Minerals Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency, has intensified its fight against illegal mining in the Ashanti Region.
In a recent operation at New Edubiase along the Pra River, the taskforce seized seven excavators, immobilized five others, and confiscated two generators, two motorbikes, pump-action guns, and other mining equipment.
The seized items have been transported to the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) for further action.
Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, who shared the details in a Facebook post on Thursday (20 March) but could not confirm an arrest.
He reiterated the government’s firm stance against irresponsible mining, emphasizing the need for miners to adhere to regulations.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting legal and sustainable mining while cracking down on destructive practices that threaten Ghana’s environment and water bodies.
The latest action adds to ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining, which has had devastating effects on the country’s natural resources.
However, the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners has raised concerns over individuals impersonating military and national security personnel to extort money from its members under the pretense of fighting illegal mining.
The Association claims that some of these individuals, suspected to have ties to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC), are targeting mining operations and demanding money from miners while pretending to enforce anti-galamsey regulations.
According to the Association’s leadership, reports from members, particularly in the Amansie areas, indicate increasing frustration over these activities.
At a press conference in Kumasi on Tuesday (18 March), the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the Association, Michael Adu Gyamfi, called on the President, the Ashanti Regional Minister, and other authorities to intervene immediately to prevent potential clashes between the miners and these individuals.
“All the presidents who had the chance to rule this country had a good motive behind the fight against illegal mining. But one way or the other, some party apparatus and some people within the party are the main cause of the failures associated with the fight against illegal mining,” he stated.
He further urged the President, the Ashanti Regional Minister, and the National Security Coordinator in the region to take urgent steps to curb the activities of these impersonators.
“We are using this medium to inform the president as well as the Ashanti Regional Minister and the National Security Coordinator in the Ashanti Region to be wide awake and make sure that they talk to their people who have put it upon themselves to engage in such a dastardly act.
“As per the information that we are receiving from the people in the zonal area, the next time such an incident happens, they will not allow themselves to be taken over, and there could be a possible clash that could create fatalities”, he said.
