The miners were caught operating on the Offin River when the team stormed the area
The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners taskforce on Sunday, December 24 arrested eighteen(18) illegal miners at Manso-Keniago in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region.
This arrest forms part of the association’s commitment to flush out individuals who have been destroying land and water bodies in search of gold.
Arrest
Executive Secretary of the Ashanti Regional Small Scale Miners Association, Mike Gizo, told myxyzonline.com that a combined effort of the District Security Council and the taskforce led to the arrest of the individuals.
“We received a letter from the DCE of Amansie West which informedus of the activities of illegal miners in the area. So our task force rushed to the scene to effect the arrest,” Mike Gizo narrated.
Mr. Gizo added that about forty-one dredging machines were also impounded during the arrest.
He stated that the suspects have since been handed over to the police and has called for stiffer punishment to deter individuals from engaging in illegal mining.
Operation save our river bodies
The Small Scale Miners renewed its commitment to fighting illegal mining through the “Operation Save Our River Bodies” campaign.
According to Mr Gizo, about one-hundred and twenty six (126) illegal miners have been arrested in the Ashanti and Central Regions alone since its inception.
Over 200 dredging machines have also been destroyed.Mr Gizo also called on government and other stakeholders to support the team to help flush out illegal miners who are destroying water bodies.
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