Correspondence from Eastern Region

In a decisive move against the pervasive threat of illegal mining, the Birim Central Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), Solomon Kusi Brako, has spearheaded a significant crackdown on galamsey operations along the Birim River in and around Akyem Oda.

The operation, initiated following credible intelligence of renewed illegal mining activities, resulted in the seizure of the control boards of six excavators, a pump-action gun, and other mining equipment.

The swift action by the MCE and his team comes as a direct response to the escalating environmental damage posed by galamsey, which has been relentlessly polluting the Birim River and jeopardising vital farmlands in the region. Sources indicate that the illegal mining activities have not only obstructed the natural flow of the river but have also caused severe pollution, affecting the operations of the Ghana Water Company Limited's treatment plant.

This plant is crucial for supplying potable water to Akyem Oda, Akwatia, and even as far as Winneba, placing these communities at risk.

MCE Kusi Brako emphasised the dire nature of the situation, describing it as "precarious" and warning of the potential for a "major disaster" if the illegal mining is not halted immediately. He emphasised the urgency of dismantling these operations and restoring the Birim River to its pristine state.

This crackdown is part of a broader, intensified effort by the government to combat illegal small-scale mining across Ghana, an activity that has inflicted considerable damage on the nation's natural resources, particularly its water bodies and forest reserves.

The MCE's decisive intervention in Birim Central signals a renewed commitment to safeguarding the environment and ensuring the availability of clean water for the affected communities. Further investigations are expected as authorities work to dismantle the galamsey networks operating in the area.