Operation Halt Arrests 9 Suspected Illegal Miners and Destroys 23 Changfans

Officers from ‘Operation Halt’ have arrested nine suspected illegal miners and destroyed 23 changfans during an operation along the Ankobra River at Prestea Nakaba in the Western Region. The task force, comprising over 100 soldiers, was deployed last week to combat illegal mining, or “galamsey,” in the Eastern, Central, and Western Regions.

As part of the government’s efforts to stop the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, the task force also destroyed 33 grinding machines, 27 water pumps, and three changfan boards in the Prestea Nakaba area.

In a separate operation at Assin Asamang in the Central Region, 10 changfans and seven water pumps used for illegal mining along the River Pra were also destroyed.

This operation forms part of ongoing efforts to curb the environmental degradation associated with galamsey activities.