BONO REGIONAL MINISTER LEADS MAJOR CRACKDOWN ON GALAMSEY IN BANDA

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The Bono Region, one of Ghana’s major food-producing areas, is under severe threat from illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey. Once-thriving farmlands, lush forest reserves, and essential vegetative cover are rapidly disappearing, while water sources and livelihoods face unprecedented strain.

For decades, rivers and streams in the region served as dependable water supplies for local communities. Today, they are heavily contaminated with mercury, cyanide, and other toxic chemicals used in illegal gold extraction. Health experts warn that consumption of such polluted water can lead to skin diseases, rashes, gastrointestinal disorders, and other serious health problems.

One of the most alarming cases is in the Banda District, where illegal mining is not only destroying the local ecosystem but also threatening the Bui hydroelectric dam with sediment buildup. The dam, a critical national energy asset, faces potential operational risks if the situation is left unchecked.

The district’s status as a major cashew production hub is also at risk, with illegal miners encroaching on farmlands and undermining the livelihoods of farming households. This environmental and economic damage is pushing many families into uncertainty.

In response, Bono Regional Minister Hon. Joseph Addae Akwaboa has intensified anti-galamsey efforts. His commitment was evident in a recent high-profile operation targeting “Operator,” a fast-expanding illegal mining settlement in Banda District.

On August 4, 2025, a police-military taskforce, acting on his directive, moved during the early hours to dismantle the settlement. The operation led to the arrest of 31 illegal miners, the demolition of over 150 makeshift structures, and the seizure or destruction of 11 excavators, 16 motorbikes, 10 tricycles, several “changfang” machines, and gallons of fuel. More than 1,000 settlers were displaced from the site.

Hon. Akwaboa explained that the operation aimed to safeguard both the environment and the economy, stressing that it was carried out without political influence.

“We are committed to supporting President John Dramani Mahama’s government in ending galamsey,” he said, noting that similar actions will be rolled out in other hotspots.

The Minister indicated that the initiative is just the beginning. The Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) will submit a detailed report to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, requesting technical guidance for reclaiming degraded land and restoring vegetation. “We remain committed to ensuring that these lands can once again sustain farming and provide livelihoods,” Hon. Akwaboa assured.

Illegal mining remains one of Ghana’s most urgent environmental and socio-economic challenges. In the Bono Region, the stakes are especially high, given its role in food production, forestry conservation, and hydropower generation. Experts stress that sustained, impartial law enforcement and prosecution of offenders—regardless of political or social standing—are essential for meaningful progress. They also recommend alternative livelihood programmes to prevent displaced miners from returning to the trade.

Hon. Akwaboa’s decisive intervention in Banda is being seen as a strong demonstration of political will—one that, if sustained and replicated, could significantly reduce galamsey and its destructive impacts across the region.