GAF: Personnel Have Made Significant Gains In Galamsey Fight

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says its personnel undertaking the relaunched Operation Halt II have made strides in their fight against illegal mining in the country.

Last month, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, announced some revamped measures his outfit adopted in the government’s renewed fight against illegal mining.

One of them, he announced, was the relaunch of Operation Halt II, a military operation that clamps down on illegal mining on various water bodies and in forest reserves in Ghana.

He noted that the new measures empower military personnel undertaking Operation Halt II to deliver on their mandate at their discretion and without interference.

Almost a month to its relaunch, the GAF says its personnel have seized 30 excavators and destroyed and immobilised 8 others.

Additionally, it said that a hundred and three changfan machines, nine water pump machines, five generator sets, two fuel storage tanks, six motorbikes, and a tricycle were seized.

Also, improvised mining equipment and structures were destroyed, it said.

The operation was conducted at Kade, Ofoase, and Pra Anom along river Birim; and at Yawkrom, Agroyesum, and Takorase along river Offin.

According to the Force, there has been an improvement in the turbidity of River Birim and Offin following the personnel’s clampdown activities.

For arrests, the GAF said eight persons were arrested in the area of Banda Nkwanta and handed over to the police.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini