The Eastern Regional Minister Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong has bemoaned the difficulty of the fight against illegal mining menace (commonly known as ‘galamsey’), he provided insight into the strategies and challenges his task force faces in combating illegal miners in Ghana’s Eastern Region. The task force, consisting of various security and intelligence bodies, operates intending to protect water bodies, which have become the primary target of illegal mining activities. Hon. Acheampong’s statement underscored the scale of the problem and the limitations faced by security personnel in dealing with illegal mining syndicates.
Hon. Acheampong outlined the makeup of the task force, which comprises personnel from several security agencies in Ghana, including the military, immigration service, police service, the Office of the Attorney General, and other intelligence bodies.
“We work with our local government structure. So, the Municipal Security Council MUSEC, also works with us, and then the District Security Council DISEC also works with us.”
Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong the Eastern Regional Minister
Hon. Acheampong highlighted the extensive network of bodies involved in the fight against illegal mining.
The Strategic Approach to Tackling Illegal Mining
The task force relies on intelligence gathering, often receiving tip-offs from various sources before carrying out its operations. Hon. Acheampong shared that they would typically lay ambushes to apprehend the illegal miners, particularly focusing on areas around water bodies. According to him, water sources are the most significant concern in the fight against illegal mining because they are essential for both human survival and agriculture. The pollution and destruction of water bodies by illegal mining pose severe risks to food security and public health.
“Our main fight is on the water bodies because it is where our biggest issue is. Reasons are simple, It is the water that feeds all of us, and so if the water gets destroyed, there will be no food for us to eat. There will be a loss of lives. So our concern is to fight them.”
Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong the Eastern Regional Minister
The Minister’s remarks is a demonstration of the task force’s understanding of the far-reaching consequences of illegal mining beyond environmental degradation. The destruction of water sources affects not just the immediate communities but also the larger population that depends on these waters for drinking, farming, and other essential activities.
The Challenge of Fighting Galamsey: Outnumbered and Outgunned
While the task force is resolute in its mission, Hon. Acheampong admitted that tackling illegal miners is not an easy task. He acknowledged that despite their efforts, they are sometimes overwhelmed by the sheer numbers and firepower of the illegal miners. Recounting a specific incident. He reiterated; “I have said it elsewhere, and people doubted me, and they said, we retreated because we were outnumbered by the members who were on the scene.”
The sheer size of the illegal mining operation, coupled with the fact that the miners were armed, made it impossible for the task force to confront them without risking lives.
“We were just about 30, and they were in the number of 400, and it wasn’t going to be easy for us. 400 illegal miners… they are armed.”
Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong the Eastern Regional Minister
Hon. Acheampong revealed, providing a stark image of the difficulty of the task at hand.
Moreover, Hon. Acheampong also addressed the scale of devastation caused by illegal mining operations, particularly the alluvial mining method used by many illegal miners. He noted that this type of mining causes widespread destruction, far beyond just a few acres of land. The Hon. Acheampong highlighted that the damage done by these miners can be seen in the expansive areas they destroy, often uprooting entire ecosystems in their quest for gold.
Hon. Acheampong pointed out the extensive damage captured in images and videos. “The alluvial operation, when they get in there, they try to just destroy everything,” the Minister added, emphasizing the destructive nature of illegal mining. Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong’s candid discussion of the ongoing fight against illegal mining in the Eastern Region offers a sobering look at the challenges security agencies face in this war. The scale of the problem, combined with the superior numbers and armament of illegal miners, makes it a daunting task for the task force to succeed without significant reinforcements and resources. Despite these challenges, Hon. Acheampong remains committed to protecting the region’s vital water bodies, which he identifies as central to the region’s food security and public health. His call for continuous and collective action echoes the broader national sentiment that galamsey must be stopped to safeguard Ghana’s natural resources and future.
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