By Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Naaga (U/E), May 18, GNA – The fight against illegal mining in the Upper East Region gained fresh momentum as Mr Donatus Atanga Akamugri, the Upper East Regional Minister, on Friday led a decisive operation to dismantle galamsey activities in the Naaga-Sakombiisi Forest, located in the Kassena-Nankana Municipality.
This followed a petition submitted to the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) by concerned residents of Naaga.
Accompanied by security personnel, the team took swift action to respond to the concerns in which the residents expressed fears over the environmental degradation and health risks posed by the illegal mining operations.
The team, though did not meet the perpetrators on site, took away some of the machines used in the operations such as compressors, grinding motors and set fire to the tents, serving as temporary shelter for the illegal miners.
“I received a written petition from the people of Naga-Sakombiisi, raising serious concerns about ongoing illegal mining in their community,” Mr Akamugri revealed.
He added: “Despite previous reports to the authorities, no concrete steps were taken. That’s why they turned to the RCC for immediate intervention.”
The operation uncovered three active illegal mining sites, where ore was being ground and processed using makeshift equipment.
The Minister noted that the grinding released hazardous powder into the air, raising alarm about potential health consequences for residents.
“The community is justifiably worried,” he said, adding, “They’re breathing in harmful dust. Their livestock are dying after ingesting plastic waste left behind by the miners. Their livelihoods are at stake.”
The Minister warned that the activities of the illegal miners was a threat to electricity supply, citing for instance that some illegal miners had allegedly illegally connected electricity in another community, and the situation had led to power outages in those communities.
While condemning the illegal activity, the Minister clarified that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Government was not against responsible mining itself.
“We support responsible, regulated mining,” he said, but cautioned, “But we are totally against operations that take place in forest reserves and on water bodies. These practices are destroying our environment and threatening public health.”
The operation marked the third anti-galamsey mission led by Mr Akamugri since taking over office in February 2025.
It would be recalled that in March 2025, the Minister led his first operation to the Tilli Forest in the Bawku West District and arrested 71 illegal miners.
A similar operation was also carried out at the Apatanga community in the Bongo District.
When the Ghana News Agency visited these areas, the illegal miners had destroyed the vegetative covers and created deep gullies while farmlands have also been destroyed with community members who are predominantly farmers losing their sources of livelihoods.
Apart from the determination to arrest illegal miners and destroy equipment used in the operations, the Minister had also been engaging community members, sensitising them to join hands in the fight against illegal mining in their communities.
GNA
FAA/BM