Operation launched to curb illegal mining in Upper East Region
The fight against illegal mining in the Upper East Region gained fresh momentum as Donatus Atanga Akamugri, the Upper East Regional Minister, on Friday led a decisive operation to dismantle galamsey activities in the Naaga-Sakombiisi Forest, located in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality.
This followed a petition submitted to the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) by concerned residents of Naaga.
Accompanied by security personnel, the team took swift action to respond to the concerns in which the residents expressed fears over the environmental degradation and health risks posed by the illegal mining operations.
The team, though did not meet the perpetrators on site, took away some of the machines used in the operations such as compressors, grinding motors and set fire to the tents, serving as temporary shelter for the illegal miners.
“I received a written petition from the people of Naga-Sakombiisi, raising serious concerns about ongoing illegal mining in their community,” Mr. Akamugri revealed.
He added: “Despite previous reports to the authorities, no concrete steps were taken. That’s why they turned to the RCC for immediate intervention.”
The operation uncovered three active illegal mining sites, where ore was being ground and processed using makeshift equipment.
The Minister noted that the grinding released hazardous powder into the air, raising alarm about potential health consequences for residents.
“The community is justifiably worried,” he said, adding, “They’re breathing in harmful dust. Their livestock are dying after ingesting plastic waste left behind by the miners. Their livelihoods are at stake.” The Minister warned that the activities of the illegal miners was a threat to electricity supply, citing for instance that some illegal miners had allegedly illegally connected electricity in another community, and the situation had led to power outages in those communities.
