The Blue Water Guards in the Prestea Huni Valley Municipality have halted the activities of some recalcitrant illegal miners wreaking havoc on the Ankobra River at Tarkwa Bremang.
The task force, in three separate operations, destroyed five chanfan machines and several other tools, including washing boards and blankets, in what authorities describe as a renewed show of strict enforcement against galamsey.
Despite the scale of destruction, the team made no arrests, a situation they attribute to the evasive tactics of the illegal miners.
Team Lead, Allan Acheampong, said the illegal miners continue to pose a serious threat to the Ankobra River, stressing that the Guards remain committed to flushing them out.
“We are doing everything we can to protect the Ankobra River, but the challenges are enormous,” he said. “The illegal miners run at the sight of the team, and because we lack some critical logistics, we are unable to pursue them effectively.”
Acheampong appealed for urgent logistical support to boost the team’s safety and efficiency during operations on the river.
“We urgently need life jackets and speed boats,” he noted. “These are not luxuries. They are essential tools that will help us carry out these operations safely and respond quickly when the miners flee using the river.”
He emphasized that with the right support, the Blue Water Guards would be better positioned to sustain pressure on illegal miners and help restore the Ankobra to its natural state.
