The government says it has cleared the Ankobra River of heavy-duty mining equipment as part of intensified efforts to tackle illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in the Western Region.
The development comes after months of routine operations by National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), working with the Navy Special Forces , targeting illegal mining activities on the Ankobra, Offin and other major water bodies.
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who toured parts of the Ankobra River, said all changfan machines and makeshift mining equipment identified in the river had been removed.
According to the Minister, the operation has so far led to the removal of nearly 3,000 changfan machines from the Ankobra, Offin and other targeted water bodies.
He added that more than 237 people had been arrested in connection with illegal mining activities, including 144 foreign nationals.
During a routine inspection on the River Ankobrah , the minister Armah-Kofi Buah attributed the progress to a change in strategy, with authorities moving away from sporadic raids to permanent and intelligence-led operations.
He maintained that the fight against illegal mining will be sustained to fish out the powerful forces behind the menace.
Meanwhile the Commander of NAIMOS, Col. Kwame Sam Appiah, said the security operation will not end with the clearing of the Ankobra River.
He said the operation, which began on the Birim River, will be extended to other major water bodies, including the Tano and Offin rivers.
Authorities say the focus now is to ensure that the gains made on the Ankobra and other rivers are sustained and that illegal mining does not return to the cleared areas.
