By Erica Apeatua Addo
Tarkwa (W/R), Jan. 8, GNA – Blue Water Guards operating in the Wassa Amenfi East Municipality have descended heavily on illegal miners prospecting for gold nuggets in parts of the Ankobra River and along major roads.
On Monday, January 5, 2026, the guards conducted an operation during which they destroyed dredging machines, water pumping machines, and temporary structures erected by the illegal miners at Ankosia, Ankwagya, and Asikuma-Mensakrom.
Several pipelines releasing mining waste into the Ankobra River, causing pollution, were also removed and destroyed by the team.
Mr. Alex Animah, Second-in-Charge of the guards in the municipality, who led the operation, confirmed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA).
He said they resumed operations in January and visited sections of the Ankobra River because they were tasked to protect water bodies and the environment from illegal mining.
He explained that they formed two groups, and when the first group got to some communities along the Ankobra River, they discovered illegal miners had set dredging machines in the river with pipelines and were mining.
Mr Animah said they dived into the water to apprehend the illegal miners, but the miners fled upon seeing them, prompting the team to set all their machines ablaze.
According to him, the second group toured other communities and found illegal miners operating along major roads, managing to destroy their water pumping machines and other equipment.
He indicated that the illegal miners had been warned several times, so this year they would deal ruthlessly with anyone caught.
“We will continue to destroy any equipment we find, and suspects we arrest will be handed over to the police for prosecution to deter others,” he added.
GNA
Edited by Justina Paaga / Lydia Kukua Asamoah