The Blue Water Guard in the Juaboso District of the Western North Region has seized four water pumping machines and nine gas cylinders from illegal miners, popularly known as galamseyers, during an operation at Topman, a community near Bonsu Nkwanta.
The operation, which took place on April 7, 2026, formed part of efforts by the task force to monitor and protect water bodies in the area. The team focused on the condition of rivers within the enclave, particularly along the boundary between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
According to the District Commander of the Blue Water Guard, Mr. John Nkrumah, the team identified a river known as Sonka, which had been heavily polluted by the illegal mining activities.
He explained that upon the arrival of the task force, the illegal miners fled the scene, abandoning their equipment. The officers subsequently seized four pumping machines and nine gas cylinders believed to have been used to power the equipment.
Mr. Nkrumah noted that the miners rely on gas cylinders instead of petrol to operate their machinery. He further alleged that the individuals involved in the illegal activity are foreign nationals from Côte d’Ivoire.
Due to the remote nature of the area, the seized items have been temporarily handed over to the community chairman of Topman for safekeeping, with plans to retrieve them later.
The commander also highlighted logistical challenges faced by the task force, emphasizing the urgent need for a tricycle to facilitate the transportation of seized equipment from illegal mining sites to the appropriate authorities.
No arrests were made during the operation.
