A total of 11 excavators, 16 motorbikes, including tricycles were seized from the illegal miners. A number of changfant machines were also destroyed at the Tain River aimed at stopping the illegal mining activities. Also, a total of 31 illegal miners were arrested during the operation and will be arraigned before court.

Mr. Joseph Addae Akwaboa, the Bono Regional Minister who sanctioned the operation said it was not going to be a day, but rather weekly to sustain the camping.

The Minister noted that report on the activities of illegal mining and the operation will be submitted to the Minister of Land and Natural resources for action. The military and police officers detailed to execute the operation were committed and urged the illegal miners to leave the forestry for their own lives.

“We are resetting this country and His Excellency the president is very serious about this galamsey activity. We the Ministers and Regional Ministers have resolves to fight against”, he said.

The illegal mining has severely impacted the Bono Region, particularly in Banda the District. The activities of these illegal miners have led to widespread environmental degradation.

The illegal mining has led deforestation and Water Pollution in the area. The Tain River, which supports the livelihoods of communities along its banks, has been severely polluted, turning milky brown due to the direct dumping of chemicals into the water. This pollution poses a significant threat to the Bui Dam, a crucial hydroelectric generating plant in Ghana.

Also the activities have led to destruction of Cashew Farms in the area. Cashew production, a key sector in the region, is under threat due to the destruction of cashew farms. Many farmers have been forced to lease their farms to illegal miners, leading to loss of livelihoods and income.

Most people have in the area suffered Loss of Livelihoods. The pollution of water bodies and destruction of farmlands have affected the primary income sources for local residents, including farmers and aggregators. This has led to increased poverty and food insecurity in the region.

The most serious impact in the area is health Risks. The use of toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide in the gold extraction process poses serious health risks to the local communities.

With all these impact on the people, the need to act is now. Hence the Minister’s pledged by taking this decisive action against galamsey operators, emphasizing the need to protect the environment and the Bui Dam.

Stakeholders, including cashew farmers and industry experts, are urging the government to take immediate action to curb the illegal mining activities. They emphasize the need for strict Enforcement of Mining Regulations to protect the cashew sector and the environment as well as support for Sustainable Agricultural Practices to promote environmentally friendly farming practices and protect the livelihoods of farmers.