The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mines, George Mireku Duker, has revealed that the return of the Ankobra River and other waterbodies to their pure status is a reflection of the strides made by government’s fight against illegal mining.

According to him, the progress made in the turbidity level of the waterbodies is indicative of the fact that the anti-galamsey fight is yielding results.

Speaking after the tour of the Ankobra River which is fast regaining its authentic and clean status, Mr Duker commended the various stakeholders for their respective roles in the fight against illegal mining.

While commending the various agencies and Ghanaians for their efforts, Hon. Mireku Duker maintained that government will not take its foot off pedal and will press on with the measures that have resulted in the gains made so far. He noted that the training of river wardens to compliment the Operation Halt II taskforce is another laudable initiative by government that has contributed significantly to the liberation of waterbodies from galamsey operations.

DCEs, MMDCEs urged to enforce protection of waterbodies

The deputy lands minister urged all individuals especially Chiefs, MMDCEs and the general public to join forces with government in its bid to protect the waterbodies. He expressed government’s aversion on the ban of small-scale mining and expressed that government through the Community Mining Scheme and other innovations will transform the small-scale mining sector.

“We should take full responsibility of protecting Ghana’s river bodies. We have roles to play including MMDCEs and we must all commit to protecting our waterbodies. There are suggestions for government to close down small-scale mining activities, but we are aware of the number of job opportunities created in the small-scale mining sector.”
George Mireku Duker

On his part, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Ellembelle District, Kwasi Bonzo, indicated that the people of Ellembelle will not sit down aloof and watch others destroy their livelihoods.

Also, Dorcas Amoah, DCE for Nzema East, commended the government for the Community Mining scheme in the area, revealing that many lives have been impacted positively by the innovative mining scheme.

Last year, Assemblyman for Asanta Ankobra in the Ellembelle District, Isaac Mokeh Cojo, expressed worry over the state of the Ankobra river. He lamented that the river was once clean and safe for drinking and indicated that the fishes they caught in recent times were nowhere compared to what they used to catch previously.

Responding to whether the government’s intervention of safeguarding such water bodies had been useful, Mr Cojo registered his displeasure at some actions of the government, saying that such interventions had not been successful. He emphasized that people living at banks of the river tend to suffer the most because of these activities.

In 2021, Lands Minister, Abu Jinapor, expressed optimism by the recovery of the river bodies to continue to clamp down on illegal mining activities.

This came after the Lands Ministry, in a move to protect forest reserves and river bodies like Ankobra and Pra, sent some military troops to illegal mining sites to stop the incessant activities destroying natural reserves.

The action dubbed ‘Operation Halt’ began in April following a directive by President Akufo-Addo to the Ghana Armed Forces. The immediate mission of the troops is to get rid of mining activities on river bodies in the country. The troops burnt excavators and other mining equipment found on illegal sites.

Although many advised against the burning of excavators, Attorney General Godfred Dame reckoned the burning of excavators found close to water bodies did not go against the country’s laws and that courting of sympathy for perpetrators leaves much to be desired.