GALAMSAY FIGHT: War on Galamsey: Bono Region’s Bold Step to Save Its Land”

The Bono Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Akwaboah Addae, in collaboration with a joint military-police task force comprising about 100 committed service personnel—led by Lt. Colonel Michael Naah, CEO of the 3rd Battalion of Infantry—has issued a firm warning to illegal miners, especially those operating in the Banda District, stating that the government will stop at nothing to end the menace of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

BYTE – HON. JOSEPH ADDAE AKWABOAH:

The Minister described the operation conducted at Operator, Surubokrom as the beginning of a sustained campaign against illegal mining in the Bono Region.

“Let me sound this warning clearly – this is not a one-day operation. We are coming back next week, and the week after that. This is going to be a continuous fight. Anyone thinking of returning to those sites should advise themselves.”

SEIZED AND DESTROYED ITEMS INCLUDE:
• 11 excavators
• About 15 motorbikes
• Over 15 chanfans (washing machines) – destroyed and burnt
• Several tricycles and mining equipment
• Makeshift structures – demolished and burnt
“These items will not be released. I will submit a report directly to the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and they will handle the rest. No one should come to me about any seized equipment. If you do, you will be arrested, because it means you are a suspect.”
Hon. Akwaboah emphasized that the government was committed to making illegal mining uncomfortable and unprofitable in the region.
“We are coming after them. Every week. We’re going to make galamsey a very risky and uncomfortable venture in this region.”
Reacting to claims of political sponsorship of illegal mining activities, the Minister issued a strong caution:
“This is not a game. We are resetting this country. His Excellency the President is very serious about ending galamsey. We the Regional Ministers are equally committed. Once you’re caught – whether you’re a government appointee or not – nobody can intervene. We are not negotiating with criminals.”
   • GALAMSAY FIGHT: War on Galamsey: Bono Regi...  

Hon. Akwaboah added that a detailed report will be submitted to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and once approval is granted, reclamation of degraded lands will commence under ministerial guidelines.
“Once we get the green light, the reclamation will start. We will follow all the modalities they provide.”
Madam Abiba, a businesswoman and mother of four from Techiman, who had been operating at the site for over five years, expressed concern after her makeshift shop was destroyed during the exercise.
“This area is known for galamsey, and we all knew what was going on. But the youth have no jobs. That’s why many of them end up in this. I’m appealing to government – please create jobs for the youth, so they don’t return to this lifestyle.”