The Tanoso Traditional Council in the Ahafo Region says it has been spending its own resources to support operations against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in the area.
The Ankobeahene of the Council, Nana Okofo Dartey Amoako Atta, said the traditional authority has been compelled to finance some of its anti-galamsey activities because of the urgency of protecting the community’s water bodies from pollution.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Nana Okofo Dartey Amoako Atta said the fight against illegal mining became a major priority after the council observed increasing pollution of rivers in the area.
He explained that the chief subsequently brought together the youth chairman and unit committee members to develop strategies to tackle the menace.
According to him, the council also observed that suspected illegal miners often received information about police operations before officers arrived at the sites, allowing them to escape.
He said this prompted the traditional authorities to begin visiting the mining sites themselves to identify and confront the activities.
Nana Okofo Dartey Amoako Atta said during one of the council’s first major operations, six people were arrested and several items, including pumping machines and shovels, were seized.
He disclosed that the traditional council spent GH¢20,000 to execute the operation.
According to him, the suspects were engaged in “dig and wash” activities, with three of them admitting to participating in illegal mining.
He said the council was particularly concerned to discover that mining equipment had been placed in a fish pond, resulting in the pollution of the water.
The Ankobeahene said although the suspects were arrested and handed over to the police, the subsequent legal process has been slow.
He explained that three of the suspects were granted bail after admitting their involvement, while the other three were arraigned before court.
Nana Amoako Atta said the traditional council has also been bearing the cost of prosecution.
“Every time, it is the traditional council that pays the prosecutor.”
He said the case has been before the court since January, but there has been little progress despite several appearances.
According to him, the court eventually granted the remaining suspects bail of GH¢20,000, but the case is yet to reach a conclusive end.
The Ankobeahene said the financial burden has not deterred the traditional council from supporting the fight, insisting that protecting the community’s rivers and environment remains a priority.
He, however, called for stronger support from state institutions to ensure that arrests made during anti-galamsey operations lead to successful prosecutions.
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