Anti-Galamsey Raid: Bono Minister seizes 11 excavators, motorbikes and mining equipment

Correspondence from Bono Region

The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboah, has led a major crackdown on illegal mining activities at Surubokrom, a notorious galamsey community in the Banda District of the Bono Region.

The move comes in response to growing concerns about the devastating environmental and socio-economic impacts of galamsey in the district, including the destruction of farmlands, contamination of water bodies, threat to public health and safety, as well as an increase in social vices.

The operation, which forms part of the government's intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal mining across the country, saw Joseph Addae Akwaboah leading a joint military and police task force to the community as part of the crackdown.

The joint security task force destroyed several makeshift shelters used by the illegal miners as temporary living quarters and operational bases, seized 11 excavators, 15 motorbikes, chanfans, tricycles and mining tools in the crackdown and the arrest of many people.

According to the Minister, the exercise is part of the government’s commitment to restoring sanity to the natural resource sector and safeguarding the livelihoods of law-abiding citizens, and warned that the region cannot afford to lose its natural resources to the greed of a few individuals.

“This government will not entertain galamsey, and as the regional minister who represents the president, I am prepared to lead that course, and what you have seen here today is part of that reset agenda”.

He indicated that individuals arrested during the operation will be prosecuted according to the law and assured the public of the government’s continued commitment to enforcing laws to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.

“Let me assure you that we will not relent in our efforts to protect the environment and preserve our natural resources for future generations, and so all those who have been arrested here today will be dealt with according to law”.