Four individuals have been arrested in a joint operation by the Twifo Atti Mokwa District Assembly, police, and the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) last Tuesday.
The operation, which took place on the River Pra at Twifo Praso, also led to the destruction of five changfan machines and five boats.
The District Chief Executive, Robert Agyemang Nyantakyi, emphasized the need for logistical support, stating, “Adequate boats, divers, and life jackets are essential if we are to make a meaningful impact in the fight against galamsey.”
The illegal mining activities have had severe repercussions on the environment and local communities. Last week, a tragic incident highlighted the dangers, as two-and-a-half-year-old twins lost their lives after falling into an abandoned galamsey pit near Mokwa, a farming community close to Twifo Praso.
Residents lamented that such incidents had become all too common due to the numerous uncovered pits left behind by illegal miners.
The pollution of the River Pra has also hindered the operations of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), compromising water quality and reducing the plant’s capacity at Sekyere Hemang.
The newly constructed bridge at Twifo Praso, yet to be commissioned, is already under threat from illegal mining activities near its base.
Mr. Agyemang stressed the importance of community support in the fight against galamsey, while NADMO Coordinator Richmond Addai Marfo warned that the miners’ nocturnal operations made the battle even more challenging.
He called on all affected communities to unite in addressing the devastation caused by illegal mining.
