A task force formed by the Ashanti Regional Small Scale Miners Association has pledged to support government’s Anti-Galamsey Taskforce, Operation Vanguard (OV) in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey.’

The small-scale miners contend activities of illegal miners is having serious negative implications on their business and rendering thousands of Ghanaians jobless.

Government of Ghana and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resource on August 2, 2017 deployed a joint Taskforce made up of four hundred (400) officers and men drawn from the Ghana Army, Navy, Air Force and the Ghana Police Service to fight illegal mining activities in the Eastern, Ashanti and the Western Regions.

Commander in charge of the Small Scale Miners Taskforce, Bresi Andoh speaking to ABUSUA DAWURO’s Nana Ama Annor said the task force will always support the government to clamp down on illegal mining to help protect lands and water bodies.

According to him, “We are ready to join the Operation Vanguard anytime they need our in the fight against illegal miners”.

Bresi Andoh, however, commended the Operation Vanguard for their effort in the fight against illegal mining activities saying Operation Vanguard team is doing “a marvellous work.”

He added that Small Scale Miners are not against the fight illegal mining activities and for that matter, they will help government task force to win.