Dr. Baba Idrissu addressing the media
The Anyinam Police in the Atiwa District of the Eastern Region on Monday stormed Akyem-Akrofufu to flush out the illegal miners, who are destroying the Birim River which serves as the major source of drinking water for inhabitants in the surrounding communities.
The operation was targeted at a special group of about 100 illegal miners, known as Chanfan miners who have specifically blocked the two main rivers in the area- Kodea and Birim to carry out their nefarious activities.
They mine gold directly in the rivers with sophisticated equipment.
Even though their Chinese partners who introduced the technology have been deported, the locals still use some of the equipment to mine directly in the river bodies.
The security men at the galamsey site lifting the equipment onto the truck
Dr. Baba Idrissu, the Anyinam Police Commander, who was accompanied by Okyeman Security taskforce and a section of journalists during the operation, said unfortunately the law enforcement agents did not make any arrests due to the deplorable nature of the road leading to the mining site.
He said they managed to seize several equipment including boats and water pumping machines.
The Police chief, who was unhappy about the development, disclosed that they could not get there on time, noting that the residents, upon seeing them, prompted the illegal miners to run away with some of their equipment.
Dr. Iddirisu told journalists at the scene that he would make life difficult for the illegal miners in his jurisdiction, adding that the degradation of the environment negatively affects lives, food production, among others.
Farmers and the entire residents of Akyem – Akrofufu have raised concerns over the activities of illegal miners.
Many innocent people have died in uncovered pits in recent times, with the latest victim being a 58-year-old wife of a blind man.
The illegal miners have polluted rivers in the district and degraded the environment to the displeasure of the indigenes.
From Daniel Bampoe, Akyem-Akrofufu