Mr Agyeman (middle) and a policeman inspecting the extent of damage caused by the galamseyers at Asuotiano

Dormaa East assembly, police arrest 13 illegal miners

Emmanuel Adu-Gyamerah Dec - 13 - 2017 , 07:39 2 minutes read

Despite efforts by the government to curb illegal mining (galamsey) in the country, the practice has intensified in some communities in the Dormaa East District of the Brong Ahafo Region.

Some of the communities are Asuotiano, Wamfie, Dormaa Akwamu and Kyeremasu.

An operation conducted by the Dormaa East District Assembly, in collaboration with the security forces, has led to the arrest of 13 people, who were busily digging for gold.

The Dormaa East District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Emmanuel Kofi Agyeman, who led the operation, said the assembly would continue to wage a relentless battle until all the perpetrators were arrested and prosecuted.

“This is a fight we cannot lose,” he said, and advised the perpetrators to put a stop to their activities in their own interests since they would be pursued.

A visit to the various areas showed extensive damage to small water bodies and large tracts of land by the illegal miners.

Ambush

Mr Agyeman said even though several attempts had been made, it was always very difficult to arrest the illegal miners.

“We ambushed the galamsey operators before we were able to make the arrest,” he said, and commended the security agencies for their assistance.

Mr Agyeman appealed to chiefs and people in the area to collaborate with the assembly and the security agencies by giving tip-offs to ensure the arrest of the illegal miners in the various communities.

“We need to maintain our water bodies and farmlands for posterity,” he said, adding that “we cannot allow few people with selfish interests to continue to destroy our environment”.

He explained that the Dormaa area was noted for the production of both food and cash crops and, therefore, everything would be done to encourage farmers to continue to increase their production to feed the nation.

Mr Agyeman said the assembly, in collaboration with the Brong Ahafo Regional Police Command, had trained some policemen to help combat illegal mining.

He advised the youth to take advantage of the government’s initiatives such as the Planting for Food and Jobs, among others, to eke out a living for themselves instead of their involvement in illegal mining to destroy the environment.