In a dramatic turn of events, a government advisory team tasked with combating illegal mining, also known as galamsey, faced off against National Democratic Congress (NDC) officials and miners in the Western and Central regions.
The confrontation, which was marked by tension and hostility, has raised questions about the government’s ability to effectively enforce its policies on illegal mining.
At the heart of the controversy is the government’s decision to seize equipment used in galamsey operations.
The advisory team, led by Rear Admiral (Rtd) Moses Beick-Baffour, had been tasked with assessing the impact of galamsey and confiscating equipment used in the illegal activity.
However, the operation was met with fierce resistance from NDC officials and miners, who argued that they had not been consulted before the raid.
The standoff, which was reported in Dunkwa, Prestea, and Anwia, saw miners and NDC officials blocking roads and threatening to confront the security personnel accompanying the government team.
The situation was tense, with both sides refusing to back down.
According to eyewitnesses, the government team seized pumping machines, generators, and excavators, and destroyed Changfan machines at galamsey sites.
However, the NDC officials and miners claimed that the equipment was legitimate and that the government’s actions were unjustified.
The controversy has sparked a heated debate about the government’s handling of the galamsey issue.
While some have praised the government’s efforts to combat illegal mining, others have criticized the approach as heavy-handed and ineffective.
