The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) have destroyed a range of mining equipment across several illegal mining sites in the country as part of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s latest directives on cracking down on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, according to asaaseradio.com.
On the first day of the operation, dubbed “Operation Halt,” the soldiers burnt several mining equipment, including 18 chanfans, 10 industrial water pumping machines, and one excavator used for illegal mining on the River Birim in the Atiwa East and West Districts of the Eastern region.
The action, which began early Thursday on October 10, 2024, primarily focused on illegal mining in water bodies and protected areas, locations that have long been affected by the pollution, deforestation, and farmland destruction caused by galamsey.
This latest effort is part of a broader national campaign to address the environmental damage associated with illegal mining, which has heavily polluted rivers and degraded agricultural lands across Ghana.
The government’s military intervention comes in response to increasing public pressure from environmental organizations, civil society groups, and concerned citizens, all of whom have called for stricter measures to end galamsey activities.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been at the forefront of the renewed push to combat illegal mining.
He recently ordered the intensification of “Operation Halt,” directing additional military personnel to be deployed to known illegal mining hotspots.
AM/KA
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