Taskforce Destroys Mining Site, Apprehends 27-Year-Old Illegal Miner
The Bono Regional Security Taskforce on illegal mining on Thursday set ablaze an illegal mining site at Sadik-Akuraa, near Banda-Ahenkro in the Banda District of the region.
The taskforce led by Madam Justina Owusu-Banahene, the Bono Regional Minister arrested a 27-year-old illegal miner at the site, and handed-him over to the police at Banda-Ahenkro.
His other accomplices managed to escape, when they sighted the taskforce, but luck eluded Kingsley Acheampong, who was seriously mining in one of the several holes dug by the miners at the site near a river in the area.
Acheampong however, pleaded with the taskforce to spare his life, saying illegal mining activity was the only source of economic livelihood for him, his wife and two children.
Sky News sighted about 20 holes where the miners’ prospect for gold and some tents mounted at the site, but the taskforce razed the tents to the ground and burnt them.
They also seize some small-scale mining tools, equipment and implements.
Mad Owusu-Banahene later told newsmen because illegal miners had failed to heed to government warnings, the taskforce would do everything possible to bring their unscrupulous activities under control.
She directed the Municipal and District Assemblies in the region to collaborate with traditional authorities and all stakeholders and devise strategies to clamp down on the miners.
The Regional Minister noted the fight against illegal mining, lumbering and illicit drugs could not be successful without the support of the police and the judiciary, and called on them to facilitate prosecution of suspects to serve as deterrent to like-minded others.
Mad Owusu-Banahene commended the taskforce and security operatives in the region for their selfless and dedicated services to the nation, and expressed the hope that they would not relax in the nationwide fight against illegal mining, logging and lumbering.
Credit: Skynewsroom
