Mr. Alex Animah, the Second-in-Command for the Blue Water Guards in the Wassa Amenfi East District, has issued a firm notice: the unit will not cease its efforts to clamp down on illegal miners responsible for the destruction of land and natural reserves within the district.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Mr. Animah confirmed that the Guards have conducted several successful swoops, leading to the apprehension of multiple suspected illegal miners.
He detailed their most recent operation, which targeted an illegal mining site along the highway from Tarkwa to Kumasi. This area, he noted, was being mined despite numerous prior warnings.
Mr. Animah emphasised the immediate threat these activities pose, referencing a recent accident directly caused by the illegal mining. “We, therefore, had no option but to conduct a swoop,” he stated. “Through that operation, we arrested four individuals who are now in police custody, while approximately 36 others managed to escape. We successfully seized seven pumping machines, shovels, and other equipment used for the illegal activities.”
Mr. Animah, popularly known as “Peace,” underscored that illegal mining remains a significant threat, affirming the Blue Water Guards’ dedication to their core objective. “So far, we have achieved positive outcomes since our deployment in Amenfi East,” he noted. “Specifically, in the Ankobrah area, we have successfully managed to dislodge several illegal miners.”
The Blue Water River Guard is a key module operating under the Blue Water Initiative. This initiative is one of the two core pillars the government is deploying to resolve the persistent challenge of illegal mining in water bodies and the resultant environmental degradation. The second pillar is the Tree for Life initiative.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
