WNR
The Ghana Blue Water Guard has launched a swift operation to drive out illegal miners who had invaded the Bia River in the Suaman Dadieso District of the Western North Region.
The operation followed a tip-off received by the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Suaman, Mr. Vasco Obour, that illegal miners were using changfang machines to pollute the Bia River. In response, the DCE swiftly organized a task force made up of the Blue Water Guard and officers from the Ghana Police Service in Dadieso to confront the perpetrators.
Although the illegal miners managed to flee the scene before the task force arrived, the team was able to seize six changfang machines and destroyed various equipment used for the mining activities by setting them ablaze.
Mr. Vasco Obour expressed deep disappointment over the continuous destruction of water bodies by illegal miners. He lamented that despite his relentless efforts to drive them away, they often monitor his absence and return to the river to continue their operations.
“The river was beginning to regain its natural clarity,” he stated. “But within just two weeks of my travel to Accra for a meeting, they came back and polluted it again.”
The DCE emphasized his commitment to finding new strategic ways to combat illegal mining in the district. He acknowledged the challenges involved but affirmed that he would not relent in the fight, stating that as the ‘President’ of Suaman, it is his duty to ensure the safety of water bodies with the support of the Blue Water Guard.
Mr. Obour also noted that many of the rivers flowing into Suaman pass through neighbouring districts like Bia West, Juaboso, and Bodi. He disclosed that plans are underway to meet with the DCEs of these three districts to develop joint strategies to tackle the menace from its roots.
Currently, the six seized changfang machines are in the custody of the Dadieso District Police Command as investigations continue.
