Personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces deployed in the fight against illegal mining in forest reserves and river bodies have made significant gains following the relaunch of Operation Halt II on Tuesday 11 October 2022. Within this period ending Monday 31 October 2022, the Operation Halt II teams seized 30 excavators, destroyed four (4), and immobilized four (4) others on site.
During the series of operations within three weeks, the teams destroyed 103 Chang fan machines, nine (9) water pumping machines, five (5) generator sets, two (2) fuel storage tanks, and other improvised mining equipment and structures. Additionally, the Operation Halt II teams seized six (6) motorbikes and one (1) motor king tricycle.
The operations were conducted at Kade, Ofoase, Oda, and Pra Anom along the banks of Rivers Birim and Pra in the Southern Command Area of Operational Responsibility. In the Central Command Area of Operational Responsibility, the operations were conducted at Yawkrom, Agroyesum, and Takorase along the River Offin. Following these successful operations, there has been a gradual improvement in the turbidity of these Rivers.
A press release signed by Naval Captain Michael Addo Larbi, Director of Public Relations to the Media stated that in respect of arrests, at Banda Nkwanta in the Northern Command Area of Operational Responsibility, the Operation Halt II team arrested eight (8) suspected illegal miners and handed them over to the Banda Nkwanta District Police Station.
The Ghana Armed Forces once again assured the general public of its commitment to the fight against illegal mining on our river bodies and in the forest reserves. It, therefore, requires the support of all to enforce the necessary measures in the interest of Ghana’s socio-economic development.
