Mr Pius Sampson Opoku, Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Tano North, has declared a “no tolerance for galamsey” campaign to clamp down on illegal mining activities within the municipality.
He cautioned that anyone found engaging in illegal mining would be prosecuted regardless of political affiliation. Stressing the importance of environmental protection, Mr Opoku said the Tano River, the municipality’s only source of drinking water, must be safeguarded from pollution and destruction.
The MCE gave the warning during an address to chiefs and residents of Yamfo, a mining community within the Newmont Ahafo North project area, on the sidelines of a clean-up exercise organised by the assembly.
The exercise, themed “Operation clean your frontage,” drew hundreds of residents who cleared weeds, swept surroundings, and desilted choked gutters in line with the government’s National Sanitation Day initiative.
Mr Opoku said security agencies would strictly enforce the law against galamsey operators and would not entertain pleas for clemency from chiefs or opinion leaders. “We will not even listen to any plea of pardon from chiefs and opinion leaders,” he stressed.
Nana Darkowaa Ampem Kyerewaa II, Paramount Queen-mother of the Yamfo Traditional Area, commended the turnout and urged the assembly to sustain the clean-up exercise.
Miss Matilda Rabi Issaka, Tano North Municipal Environmental Health Officer, said collective action was key to improving sanitation and waste management and called for stronger stakeholder support.
The five-hour exercise saw participation from security services, public and civil servants, traditional leaders, opinion leaders, religious leaders, youth and women groups, as well as students.
