The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Acheampong, has highlighted the escalating challenges in the region’s fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
President Akufo-Addo has intensified efforts to protect Ghana’s water bodies from the destructive impact of illegal mining, making the Eastern Region a focal point.
Minister Acheampong candidly discussed the difficulties his team faces, particularly when confronting large groups of heavily armed miners.
In a striking example, he detailed an incident where a task force was overwhelmed by 400 illegal miners during an operation.
“Our task force, made up of military, immigration, police, and intelligence officers, was simply outnumbered,” Mr. Acheampong said.
The minister emphasized that the government remains committed to fighting illegal mining, but it’s far from a straightforward battle. “Fighting illegal miners is not as easy as sitting around this table discussing it,” he explained.
The overwhelming scale of destruction caused by these illegal activities, particularly around water bodies, is a recurring concern. “Our main fight is on the water bodies because it’s where the biggest issue lies,” the minister stated.
Despite criticisms, Mr. Acheampong defended the government’s approach, emphasizing the difficulty in dealing with the sheer number of miners on the ground.
