Koforidua, Nov. 11, GNA - The Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, has said the fight against illegal mining was not against the traditional authorities at Kyebi.

He said the recent exercise against illegal miners at Kyebi was in response to an appeal made by the Okyehene, Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, to the government to intervene to help stop the illegal mining in the area that had been causing environmental degradation and pollution of the Birim River, which is the source of water to people of Akyem Abuakwa.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo was speaking at a press conference organized by the Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) in Koforidua on Wednesday to explain last Sunday's joint military/police action against illegal miners. He said last Sunday, based upon intelligence report, the REGSEC organized a swoop on illegal miners at Kyebi and arrested 14 illegal operators.

The team also seized six excavators, 15 water pumping machines, one compressor and one generator seized and kept them under security guard at the site awaiting action the following day.

He said one Kwame Asiedu called and warned the legitimate owners of the concession that should his machines be taken away by the security personnel he would organize the youth the next day to burn down their properties.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said true to his words Asiedu organized the Kyebi youth the next day and attacked the security personnel and provoked them with insults, pelting of stones and gunshots.

He said the security personnel withdrew to avoid open confrontation with the youth and called for reinforcement.

The Regional Minster said the security personnel heard that the youth had collected some of the seized equipment and carried them to the forecourt of Okyehene's palace and wanted to burn them.

The personnel moved in, fired warning shots to scare away the youth and retrieved the items.

He expressed regret that instead of praising the security forces for their professionalism their actions had rather been misinterpreted as an attack on the Okyenhene's palace.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo expressed regret that at a time that the state security agencies needed the support of all, "especially those who have shouted at roof tops to be fighting environmental degradation" they have rather been condemned.

He said the pollution of the Birim River by the illegal miners had led to outbreak of cholera in the Birim basin as the Ghana Water Company had stopped processing water from the Birim River and this had led to reduction in the supply of water to Kyebi and its environs.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said illegal mining had made children to abandon school and had joined the mad rush for quick money, putting their future and the future of the country at risk.

He said the illegal miners had formed rival gangs who were engaging each other in armed conflicts.

The Regional Minister said for some time now, several shooting incidents had been reported at Kyebi and its environs in which the state security operators were not involved.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said REGSEC had resolved not to be daunted by the recent rebellion and revolt of the youth of Kyebi aimed at thwarting the efforts of the state security operators to forestall the illegal degradation of the environment and pollution of the Birim River.

He said the REGSEC would not sit down to watch the emergence of private armed gangs in any part of the Eastern Region.