The National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association is spearheading efforts to rid tributaries of the River Offin of illegal mining operations.
The exercise involves the destruction of illegal mining equipment floating on various tributaries of major rivers in the country.
The Ahafo Ano South-West District of the Ashanti Region was the first area of focus by the taskforce.
At Nyamedomso camp, a farming community near Mankranso, illegal miners had taken over the River Mankran for their mining activities.
Here, illegal miners mounted washing points with their waste directed into the river.
Chang fa boats, engine-powered platforms used in mining on water, floated on the river.
The River Mankran is the only source of drinking water for the Nyamedomso community.
This river, which flows into the Offin, a major source of drinking water for Kumasi and its environs, is heavily polluted, threatening the quality and lifespan of the water source.
Residents, though worried about the situation, have made little effort to halt the activity.
The Taskforce also destroyed Chang Fa boats and washing equipment mounted on the banks of the river.
The illegal operators took their heels, abandoning all their belongings.
The District Chief Executive for Ahafo Ano South-West, Abubakar Sedik, commended the taskforce of the National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association for supporting the government’s fight against illegal mining.
He expressed confidence in building a stronger collaboration with the government in ending the illegal operations.
“The area you are talking about, I was personally there about two weeks ago to sack them. I’m surprised to hear they have returned to mining on the river. Nevertheless, I will go there tomorrow to check on them,” the DCE said.
“Currently, I have formed a taskforce that is specifically targeting illegal mining on river bodies, so we can clear all illegal miners operating within my jurisdiction,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Taskforce has expressed preparedness to sustain the efforts as the government enhances its efforts to sustain the fight against illegal mining.
Leader of the Taskforce, Bresi Andoh, said “as you can see, my team is fully prepared for the task. We, the legal small-scale miners, will no longer sit unconcerned while illegal miners, also known as ‘Toto’ miners, destroy our image. That’s why we are on the field now. The National Concerned Small-Scale Miners Association of Ghana will ensure that we protect legal small-scale mining operations and support the government in fighting all illegalities to protect our image.”
The anti-galamsey taskforce of the National Concerned Small Scale Miners Association forms part of the ongoing commitment to promote responsible and legal small-scale mining.
According to the group, the efforts seek to eradicate mining in river bodies, which is tarnishing the image of mining in the country.
When successful, the group believes the country’s river bodies will be safe for drinking.
According to the leadership of the group, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is aware of the operation.
President of the Association, Michael Kwadwo Peprah, explains that their operations are a self-policing mechanism to whip members in line and clear all illegal activities on rivers in mining communities.
Source: Nana Yaw Gyimah
