File photo of a forest destroyed by galamsey
Residents of Akomfre in the Ashanti Region are reeling after a daring raid by the Minerals Development Fund (MDF) and security agencies uncovered an illegal mining operation deep within the forest reserve.
The operation, which took place in the early hours of Thursday, June 5, resulted in the arrest of foreign nationals believed to be key players in the syndicate.
Eyewitnesses describe the scene as “shocking” and “devastating,” with heavy machinery and earth-moving equipment strewn across the forest floor.
A fuel station, eerily located in the heart of the reserve, was found to be fueling the machinery, further exacerbating the environmental damage.
The MDF and police have intensified efforts to combat illegal mining, with notable arrests and seizures made in recent days.
Some suspects were arrested in a joint operation in the Jamara Forest Reserve.
According to a report by myjoyonline.com on June 5, the Ghana Police Service has also launched a nationwide crackdown on illegal mining, resulting in the arrest of 6 Chinese nationals and the disabling of over 135 chanfan mining machines.
Key equipment seized include water pumping machines, excavator batteries, and motorbikes.
The report added that authorities have expressed deep concern over the environmental degradation caused by these activities, which pose severe health risks, including kidney and liver failure.
The destruction of water bodies and vegetation cover has also sparked outrage among local communities.
The Minerals Development Fund, led by Chief Executive, Dr Hanna Louisa Bissue-Kortey, has vowed to push for perpetrators to face the full weight of the law.
“The community is fed up, and indeed the communities are fed up.
“They destroy the land, they destroy the water bodies, and at the end of the day, they’re going to blame government because they want water, government has to provide,” she added.
The government, through the MDF and the police, is working to hold perpetrators accountable and strengthen enforcement efforts.
Public education campaigns are also underway to raise awareness about the dangers of illegal mining and promote sustainable resource exploitation.
The crackdown on illegal activities in the Ashanti Region is a significant step towards protecting the environment and promoting responsible resource management.
NAD/AE
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