The Blue Water Guard in the Juaboso District has confiscated equipment used by illegal miners during an operation at Topman, a community near Bonsu Nkwanta.
The exercise, carried out on April 7, 2026, forms part of ongoing efforts to protect water bodies from illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.
According to the District Commander of the Blue Water Guard, John Nkrumah, the team targeted rivers within the enclave, particularly along the Ghana–Côte d’Ivoire boundary.
He disclosed that the Sonka River has been heavily polluted as a result of illegal mining operations in the area.
Mr. Nkrumah explained that upon the arrival of the task force, the suspected miners fled, abandoning their equipment. The team subsequently seized four water pumping machines and nine gas cylinders believed to have been used in the illegal activities.
He noted that the miners rely on gas cylinders, rather than petrol, to power their machines.
The commander further alleged that the individuals involved in the operation are foreign nationals from Côte d’Ivoire.
Due to the remote nature of the area, the seized items have been temporarily handed over to the Topman community chairman for safekeeping, pending retrieval by authorities.
Mr. Nkrumah also highlighted logistical challenges confronting the task force, particularly the lack of transportation, and called for the provision of a tricycle to facilitate the movement of seized equipment from mining sites.
No arrests were made during the operation.
The exercise is part of intensified efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities and safeguard water resources in affected communities.
