Personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces deployed in the fight against illegal mining (galamsey) in forest reserves and river bodies have made significant gains following the re-launch of Operation Halt II on Tuesday, October 11, 2022.
By Monday, October 31, 2022, the Operation Halt II teams had seized 30 excavators, destroyed four,immobilised four and others on site.
During a series of operations within a three-week period, the teams destroyed 103 Changfan machines, nine water pumps, five generator sets, two fuel storage tanks and other improvised mining equipment and structures. Additionally, the Operation Halt II teams seized six motorbikes and one Motor King tricycle.
The operations were conducted at Kade, Ofoase, Oda, and Pra Anom along the banks of Rivers Birim and Pra in the Southern Command Area of Operational Responsibility in the Central Command Area of Operational Responsibility, the operations were conducted at Yawkrom, Agroyesum and Takorase along River Offin.
Following these successful operations, there has been a gradual improvement in the turbidity of these rivers.
In respect of arrests at Banda Nkwanta in the Northern Command Area of Operational Responsibility, the Operation Halt II team arrested eight suspected illegal miners and handed them over to the Banda Nkwanta District Police Station.
The Ghana Armed Forces, once again, wishes to assure the general public of its commitment to the fight against illegal mining in our river bodies and in the forest reserves, it, therefore, requires the support of all to enforce the necessary measures in the interest of Ghana’s socio economic development.
