The Blue Water Guards operating in the Prestea-Huni-Valley Municipality of the Western Region have intensified efforts to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, with a recent operation targeting the Mansi River near the Dwabeng community.
During the exercise, the team destroyed two Changfan mining machines mounted on a floating platform. The machines were set ablaze, and some components were dumped into the river to ensure they could not be reused.
Allan Kweku Acheampong, Supervisor of the Bogoso Base Blue Water Guards, who led the operation, confirmed to Channel One News on Saturday, July 5, that although no arrests were made, the mission achieved its goal of dismantling critical equipment used in illegal mining activities.
“This is the Bogoso River Guards. We came for an inspection on the Basin River at Dwabeng. Some machines have been burnt and destroyed, and others thrown into the river,” Acheampong stated.
He emphasized the team’s unwavering commitment to protecting Ghana’s rivers and natural ecosystems from the destructive impacts of galamsey operations.
The Blue Water Guards have pledged to intensify routine surveillance and enforcement across key river bodies in the region, working to preserve water quality and safeguard community health and livelihoods.
This operation forms part of broader national efforts to clamp down on illegal mining, which continues to pose a serious threat to Ghana’s environment and freshwater resources.
Source: http://thepressradio.com
