The National Anti-Galamsey Taskforce (NAT) in collaboration with the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC) has arrested 30 Ghanaians engaged in illegal mining in Kyebi and Anyinam in the East Akim Municipality and Atiwa Districts of the Eastern region respectively.
The operatives were arrested at Adadientam, Afiasa, Kyebi School for the blind and Ankasse.
They were sent kyebi police station to be arraigned before court for persecution.
The culprits are John Yeboah, 28, a farmer; Abdulai Yakubuag, 38, a mechanic; Kofi Yeboah, 29 a cobbler; Salifu Dzombo, 18, an apprentice; Dorglo Godwin, 63, a farmer; Osei Michael, 38, a trader and Isaac Awuni, 24.
The rest are Mohamed Musa, a 33 security man; Kwadwo Nkrumah, 26, a farmer; Appaiah James, 24, a farmer; Mohamed Sani, 20, a farmer Shaibu, Ali, 25, a farm labourer, Nana Boadu George, 37, a driver�s mate.
The others are Collins Owusu 37 farmer, Teye Gizo 37 farmer, Mark Gizo Atteh 37 farmer, and sakyi Isaac Shata 19 mason.
The taskforce have also impounded 35 excavators and waters pump machines from those illegal miners.
In an interview with Today, Eastern regional Liaison Officer, Mr. Joshua Williams, said last year, the Adadientam land was reclaimed by government and trees were planted on them but the illegal miners came back to devastate the land and the trees again.
He indicated that the illegal mining operators have poisoned the Birim River with mercury and phosphate.
He said farmers around those communities could no longer go to their farms because they are afraid that they might fall into any of the numerous pits dug by the operators.
Mr. Williams added that though National Security is doing its best to minimise such acts, it is faced with many challenges particularly in arresting the illegal practitioners because some traditional rulers and politicians are shielding them.
He suggested Parliament enact a law to confiscate any equipment seized from those illegal miners by the state.
Eastern regional Minister, Mr. Julius Debrah, cautioned the� galamsey� operators to respect the rules and regulations governing this country.
He said the law would not hesitate to take legal actions against anyone who would be arrest for practicing illegal galamsey in the region.
He urged Ghanaians to put politics behind them and face the facts to help preserve the land for generations unborn.
The operation was joined by Deputy Eastern regional minister, Ms. Mavis Ama Frimpong, Eastern regional police commander, DCOP Akuriba Yaagy, Chairman of National Security, Colonel Robert Nyaka and Principal Inspector of Mines, Evans Adade.
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