30 excavators seized within three weeks of Operation Halt relaunch
Within a period of three weeks after it was relaunched, the Operation Halt team of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has seized 30 excavators, destroyed four and immobilised four others on site.
A press release signed by the Director of Public Relations of the GAF, Naval Captain Michael Addo Larbi on Wednesday [November 9, 2022] indicated that the team has made significant gains after it’s relaunch on October 11, 2022.
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The team has also "destroyed 103 Changfan machines, nine water pumping machines, five generator sets, two fuel storage tanks and other improvised mining equipment and structures.
Six motorbikes and one tricycle have also been seized.
Locations
The operations were conducted in the Southern and Central Command areas of Operational Responsibility of the Ghana Armed Forces.
“In the Southern Command Area of Operational Responsibility, the operations were conducted in Kade, Ofoase, Oda, and Pra Anom along the banks of Birim and Pra. In the Central Command Area of Operational Responsibility, the operations were conducted at Yawkrom, Agroyesum and Takorase along the River Offin” it added.
"Following these successful operations, there has been a gradual improvement in the turbidity of these Rivers", it stated
Arrests
However, the Operation Halt II teams have arrested eight suspected illegal miners at Banda Nkwanta in the Northern Command Area of Operational Responsibility.
The eight have been handed over to the Banda Nkwanta District Police.
Attached below is a copy of the statement from the GAF
Below is a copy of the statement
Personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces deployed in the fight against illegal mining in forest reserves and river bodies have made significant gains following the relaunch of Operation Halt II on Tuesday 11 October 2022. Within this period ending Monday 31 October 2022, the Operation Halt II teams seized 30 excavators, destroyed four (4) and immobilised four (4) others on site.
During the series of operations within a three-week period, the teams destroyed 103 Changfan machines, nine (9) water pumping machines, five (5) generator sets, two (2) fuel storage tanks and other improvised mining equipment and structures. Additionally, the Operation Halt II teams seized six (6) motorbikes and one (1) motor king tricycle.
The operations were conducted at Kade, Ofoase, Oda, and Pra Anom along the banks of Rivers Birim and Pra in the Southern Command Area of Operational Responsibility. In the Central Command Area of Operational Responsibility, the operations were conducted at Yawkrom. Agroyesum and Takorase along the River Offin. Following these successful operations, there has been a gradual improvement in the turbidity of these Rivers.
In respect of arrests at Banda Nkwanta in the Northern Command Area of Operational Responsibility, the Operation Halt Il team arrested eight (8) suspected illegal miners and handed them over to the Banda Nkwanta District Police Station.
The Ghana Armed Forces once again wishes to assure the general public of its commitment to the fight against illegal mining on our river bodies and in the forest reserves. It therefore, requires the support of all to enforce the necessary measures in the interest of Ghana's socio-economic development. (PICTURES OF THE OPERATIONS AND PERSONS ARRESTED ARE ATTACHED)
SIGNED
MICHAEL ADDO LARBI
Naval Captain Director Public Relations
