One of the equipment in flames
The Ghana Police Service has intensified its fight against illegal mining following a major operation by the Nkawie Divisional Police Command at Afipaye, in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region.
Led by ASP Noah Yakpah, the police stormed illegal mining sites along the River Offin on Friday, February 20, where several makeshift structures and mining equipment used for “galamsey” activities were set ablaze.
The operation forms part of sustained efforts by the security agencies to clamp down on illegal mining, which continues to devastate water bodies and farmlands across the country. Officers indicated that the destruction of the equipment was intended to deter individuals who persist in engaging in the unlawful practice despite repeated warnings.
Illegal mining remains one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental challenges. Major rivers, including the Offin, have been heavily polluted due to unregulated mining activities, affecting access to clean drinking water in many communities. The degradation of forest reserves and cocoa farms has also raised concerns about food security and long-term environmental sustainability.
Residents in some mining-prone areas have complained about the growing cost of water treatment and the destruction of fertile lands, which serve as their main source of livelihood. Environmental advocates warn that if the menace is not decisively tackled, future generations could suffer severe consequences.
The Nkawie Divisional Police Command has therefore appealed to community members to support the fight by volunteering credible information about illegal mining operations. Authorities have assured the public that similar exercises will continue in other identified hotspots as part of a broader strategy to protect the environment and restore polluted water bodies.
FROM David Afum, Atwima Mponua