The Banda District Security Council (DISEC) has intensified its war against illegal mining with a major crackdown that led to the seizure of more than 105 changfans and several heavy excavators during coordinated raids across galamsey sites in the Bono Region.
The operation, led by the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Banda, Peter Dongi, targeted notorious mining zones, including Nipa Nnikro, Wewa, and the Srigbo Forest Reserve.
The task force also stormed areas around the Bui Dam, where illegal miners were operating dangerously close to the water source that feeds the Bui Power Authority.
According to Mr. Dongi, the activities of the illegal miners have been severely degrading the environment and contaminating water with mercury and silt, posing a direct threat to energy generation at the dam and endangering the livelihoods of nearby communities.
He expressed frustration at the limited involvement of traditional authorities in the fight against galamsey, emphasizing that as custodians of the land, they play a crucial role in preserving it.
Mr. Dongi also called on government to consider designating specific areas for regulated, community-based mining, arguing that such a move would help curb illegal activities while offering sustainable employment opportunities for the youth.
The latest operation forms part of a broader regional effort to clamp down on illegal mining activities that continue to endanger Ghana’s environment, water bodies, and key national infrastructure like the Bui Dam.
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