The Blue Water Guards in the Juaboso District have carried out an operation to clamp down on illegal mining activities polluting rivers in the district.
The operation took place on 11 May 2026 at Mantukwa along the Bia River, where the task force destroyed and set ablaze ten changfang machines found operating in the river.
According to the commander of the Blue Water Guards, John Nkrumah, the exercise was conducted to protect water bodies from destruction caused by illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
He explained that the team had received intelligence that some galamsey operators were actively working in the river, prompting him to mobilize his men to the Bia River at Mantukwa for the operation.
Upon their arrival, the suspected galamsey operators spotted the officers and fled the scene, making it impossible for the task force to arrest anyone. However, the officers managed to destroy ten changfang machines that were found in the river.
The commander further stated that the team found three gallons of diesel at the site, which they used to burn the changfang machines.
He appealed to the authorities to provide the task force with logistics such as tricycles (popularly known as aboboyaa) to help them effectively carry out their duties.
He also warned all illegal miners operating on river bodies in the district to stop immediately, stressing that the Blue Water Guards will not tolerate any activities that destroy water resources in the district.
