By: Joycelyn Tseyiboe Ama
A high-powered delegation led by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, on Thursday, September 18, joined a patrol of the Ankobra River to assess the impact of illegal mining on the water body.
The delegation, which included the Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, officials from the Lands Ministry, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), Regional National Security operatives, and Blue Water Guards, embarked on the journey from Jura-Riasu to Jura-Akango in the Evalu-Edura Municipality of the Western Region.
The patrol revealed the extent of devastation caused by illegal mining activities. An obviously shocked Lands Minister described the situation as alarming and vowed that the government will not relent in the fight against galamsey. He cautioned illegal miners to cease operations immediately or face the full rigours of the law.
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat reinforced the warning, stressing its commitment to intensify monitoring and clamp down on perpetrators whose activities continue to threaten the country’s natural resources.
The patrol is part of renewed efforts by the government to restore polluted rivers and protect water bodies across the country.
