In a bid to curb the devastating effects of illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, the Eastern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has inaugurated a nine-member taskforce. The team’s primary objective is to protect the region’s lands, forests, and water bodies from the destructive activities of galamsey operators.
The taskforce, which was launched by Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, has been mandated to monitor and prevent illegal mining activities across the region.
They will focus on areas severely impacted by galamsey, identifying sites, enforcing laws and regulations, confiscating equipment, protecting water bodies and forests, and educating the public.
Galamsey has been a persistent problem in Ghana, with severe consequences for the environment, economy, and human lives.
The Regional Minister emphasized that galamsey poses a significant security threat, causing destruction to water bodies, deforestation, and land degradation.
These harmful effects have far-reaching implications, threatening the future of all sectors.
The Mahama-led administration has made combating galamsey a priority, as part of its resetting agenda.
Awatey assured the taskforce that they would receive adequate resources to execute their work effectively.
She expressed optimism that the taskforce would help eliminate illegal mining in the region.
The Eastern Regional Police Commander, DCOP Twumasi Ankrah, who chairs the taskforce, pledged to work diligently to ensure responsible mining practices become the norm.
This initiative is a significant step towards addressing the galamsey menace, which has plagued Ghana for years.
Previous efforts to combat galamsey have included the formation of the Galamstop Taskforce, which was launched in the Atiwa West District to protect the Birim River.
The taskforce has been working to restore the river’s turbidity and has confiscated mining equipment and arrested illegal miners.
The new taskforce launched by the Eastern Regional Minister is expected to build on these efforts and bring an end to the destructive activities of galamsey operators in the region.
