Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson has announced interim plans to deploy security personnel to Patrol the Bonsa River, which supplies water to Tarkwa township and its surrounding communities.
This follows a joint operation by the Western Naval Command, Takoradi Air Force, and Western Central Command of the Ghana Police Service in Tarkwa which has resulted in the seizure of 5 excavators and the destruction of 8 giant pumping machines used in illegal mining activities along the Bonsa River in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region.
Despite government’s efforts to combat illegal mining, the activities continue to increase, particularly in water bodies and forest reserves.
The Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality’s sole water source, which supplies thousands of gallons to Tarkwa and surrounding communities, has been forced to shut down due to illegal mining operations.
Several acres of farmland and cocoa farms along the Bonsa river at Bonsawire and Assuoso have been destroyed in the search for gold.
On Thursday, April 10, a joint security operation was conducted against illegal miners in Asuoso, Bonsawire, and Bonsa.
The operation involving personnel from the Western Naval Command, the Takoradi Air Force, and the Western Central Command of the Ghana Police Service resulted in the seizure of five excavators, confiscation of one tricycle and one motorcycle and the destruction of eight giant pumping machines.
The National Security Liaison Officer for the Western Region Brigadier General Musah Whajah (Rtd.) who led the operations assured the residents of Tarkwa and its adjoining communities that the security services are ready to rescue the Bonsa river from illegal miners
“In line with President John Mahama’s Blue Water Initiative, Western Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Nelson, has directed the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to evict all illegal miners along the Bonsa River. Consequently, REGSEC has assembled a joint team comprising the Western Naval Command, Takoradi Air Force, and the Western Central Police Command in Tarkwa to enforce this directive,” he said.
“The operation, launched today at 4:00 AM, resulted in the fleeing of all illegal miners. Hon. Nelson emphasized that this effort will be ongoing, assuring the people of Tarkwa that the Bonsa River will be protected and illegal mining activities will no longer be tolerated,” Whajah assured
A victim of galamsey, Gashion Asiawaya’s farmland has been destroyed.
“There’s no hope for our future if this continues. Just look at the state of our lands. Can anyone farm in these conditions? In my opinion, President John Dramani Mahama should take decisive action to stop galamsey.”
“It would be a huge relief for us. I’ve seen it happen before I used to farm in Wassa Akropong, but the illegal miners destroyed everything.
“I moved here, and now the same thing is happening. If something isn’t done about galamsey, the future of Ghanaian farmers is bleak,” he bemoaned.
Earlier this week, the Western Central Police Command, Tarkwa arrested some 22 individuals for illegal mining at Dominase Nkwanta and Ajakaa Manso.
All the suspects have been remanded by the Asankragua District Courts pending further investigations
Addressing the media, the Deputy Western Central Regional Commander, ACP Bismark Agyapong, disclosed that those arrested include Albert Adu Bonsra, 19; Stephen Kwakye, 20; Richard Atigah, 23; Yaw Menanyi, 19; Al-Mustapha Alidu, 26; Jutu Francis, 20; Hakitu Zibo, 20; Nana Yaw Boakye, 30; Kwesi Evans, 23; Isaac Cobby, 20; and Bashiru Ali, 23. The others are Atta Francis, 20; Ayew Sali, 22; Fataw Gariba, 22; Kwame Emmanuel, 19; Kwesi Francis, 21; Abapor Frank, 20; Wasah Moses, 22; Bukari Haruna, 23; Abdulai Lukman, 21; Yeboah Rashid, 19; and Alkainu Hassan, 20.
ACP Agyapong further noted that during the operation, the Police retrieved equipment believed to have been used in the illegal mining activities. These included eleven pumping machines, seven shovels, a pickaxe, and two chamfan machines.
He stated that all suspects have been arraigned before the Asankrangwa District Court and have been remanded to assist with on-going investigations.
The Police indicated that the docket will be forwarded to the Attorney-General’s Department for the necessary legal action and prosecution.
Meanwhile the Western Regional Minister and Chairman of the Regional Security Council, Joseph Nelson says there are plans to deploy security personnel to safeguard the Bonsa River and other rivers.
“The fight against illegal mining must continue. From my observation, when operations are executed, the illegal miners often retreat, only to return when they think the coast is clear.”
“To prevent this, we plan to deploy military and police patrols along the riverbanks to ensure they don’t return and continue polluting the water. This strategy will be implemented in all areas where we’ve successfully raided and cleared galamsey activities.” He revealed.
