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The Ashanti Region Anti-Galamsey Taskforce executed a pre-dawn operation in the Adansi enclave, resulting in the confiscation of 13 excavators and multiple arrests at illegal mining sites.
Captain (Rtd) John Kwame Jabari, leader of the task force, described this as their most effective operation to date in combating illegal mining.
We achieved remarkable success as we secured nearly all targeted excavators and apprehended suspects at every site we raided.
The task force attributes its recent achievements to revised operational strategies.
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We've continually adapted our methods, but our current approach represents a perfected system.
Current operations prioritise protecting waterways and preventing further destruction of cocoa farms, building on previous successes in reclaiming illegally exploited forest reserves.
The Adansi area has suffered particularly severe environmental damage from these unlawful activities.
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Captain (Rtd) Jabari acknowledged the crucial role of community intelligence:
Our operations frequently originate from local reports rather than internal intelligence. Residents consistently provide tip-offs about these illegal activities.
The task force has issued renewed warnings to individuals engaged in illegal mining, urging them to cease operations immediately.
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This latest crackdown demonstrates the government's intensified efforts to combat galamsey activities in the region.
What must be done
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To sustain this anti-galamsey success, authorities must:
Fast-track prosecutions with maximum penalties
Implement transparent excavator disposal through public auctions or destruction.
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Deploy satellite/drone monitoring of reclaimed sites.
Immediately begin land rehabilitation.
Strengthening interagency coordination between the Minerals Commission, Forestry Commission and National Security is crucial, alongside policy reforms like stricter excavator licensing and enhanced whistleblower protections.
Community watchdog committees and alternative livelihood programmes should be established while military engineers restore polluted waterways.
Regular progress reports will maintain public trust in these efforts.