The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Twifo Atti-Morkwa in the Central Region, Robert Agyemang Nyantakyi, led a joint anti-galamsey security task force to raid some illegal mining sites under his jurisdiction.
Mr Agyemang Nyantakyi, who is also the Chairman of District Security Council (DISEC), and the District Police Commander, Charles Addae Boateng, after embarking on the operations at the mining sites, arrested and confiscated equipment used by the illegal miners.
The mining was taking place close to Pra River in communities such as Maafi Wawase and Darmang Kojokrom.
The suspects have been named as Musah Wangara, 34, Isaac Owusu, 48, Musah Alhassan, 27, and William Toku, 34.
Among the equipment seized included two short guns, fuel, and mining gadgets.
Speaking with the press after the operation, Mr. Agyemang Nyantakyi explained that his outfit tried several means to stop the activities of illegal miners in the district.
However, he continued, the galamseyers ran into forest to escape arrest anytime there is a tip-off that the anti-galamsey security task force is coming to the site.
According to him, the task force had vowed to fight anyone who engaged in illegal mining on the only source of water in their community.
“Whoever decides to mount illegal mining equipment will not have it easy with us,” the DCE stressed.
Mr. Agyemang Nyantakyi urged the community people to come together to support the assembly to fight galamsey activities.
Commenting on the recent sale of cocoa farms to illegal miners, he called on farmers in cocoa-growing areas in the district to stop these acts.
Mr. Agyemang Nyantakyi called on the ministry in charge to assist them logistics to enhance the work.
The task force is doing its best in the fight against galamsey but it is calling for its own speed boat to monitor the activities of illegal miners on Pra River.