Barely 24hrs after the Organised Labour had called off the intended strike action against illegal mining, the Ghana Armed Forces in collaboration with Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) have moved into action.
The action spot was Anyinam, in the Atiwa East District of the Eastern Region, which is known for its illegal mining activities on the Birim River.
The military, which was acting upon instruction from the Commander in Chief, President Akufo-Addo, had moved to the galamsey enclave early in the morning, but the illegal miners apparently got hint of their coming and, therefore, fled the place.
This did not, however, stop the men and women in green uniform from carrying out their duties. Aided by GNASSM, who are familiar with the terrain, they destroyed all the chanfan machines they (illegal miners) have set up on the river to carry out their illegal activities.
The Commander of the Task Force, Col. Eric Tenadu, later told the media accompanying the team that his men would not leave the enclave now, because they want to ensure that the illegal miners stay away from the place.
Commander Tenadu was hopeful that the operation would lead to a significant improvement in the condition of water bodies affected by illegal mining.
“We are launching this operation to make sure that we clear our water bodies. Whether registered or unregistered, we don’t care, our concern is the water body. So far as you are close to the water body, you are our target. We are confident that the water bodies will start to regain their natural state.”
According to him, the restoration of the water sources, which have been severely polluted by galamsey activities, was a key objective of the task force.
The early morning operation by the military was as a result of massive public pressure, led by the media and advocacy from several civil society organisations (CSOs) demanding urgent government action.
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