Youth in Dormaa Ahenkro in the Bono Region have arrested more than 10 persons engaged in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey in the town.

This action was supported by Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo, Dr. Agyemang Badu, who has strongly condemned illegal mining and assured that he will not tolerate the activity in his community.

According to a video shared on social media, the arrested persons are said to hail from the northern part of the country, including Bawku.

Their mining equipment was seized, and the suspects were subsequently handed over to the police.

Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo’s latest directive on galamsey saw 18 changfans, 10 pumping machines, and an and an excavator being burned by a military taskforce assigned to crack down on the illegal mining menace.

On Thursday, October 10, 2024, the first day of the operation, dubbed "Operation Halt," the soldiers burned several mining equipment, including 18 chanfans, 10 industrial water pumping machines, and one excavator used for illegal mining on the River Birim in the Atiwa East and West Districts of the Eastern region.

The action, which began early Thursday on October 10, 2024, primarily focused on illegal mining in water bodies and protected areas, locations that have long been affected by the pollution, deforestation, and farmland destruction caused by galamsey.

This latest effort is part of a broader national campaign to address the environmental damage associated with illegal mining, which has heavily polluted rivers and degraded agricultural lands across Ghana.

The government’s military intervention comes in response to increasing public pressure from environmental organizations, civil society groups, and concerned citizens, all of whom have called for stricter measures to end galamsey activities.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has been at the forefront of the renewed push to combat illegal mining.

He recently ordered the intensification of "Operation Halt," directing additional military personnel to be deployed to known illegal mining hotspots.

Youth in Dormaa arrested more than 10 galamseyers at Dormaa Ahenkro who were engaging in illegal mining. This action was supported by Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Dr. Agyemang Badu, who has strongly condemned illegal mining and assured that he will not tolerate the activity in… pic.twitter.com/neC17vgFcC

— EDHUB🌍ℹ (@eddie_wrt) October 11, 2024