Accra: Mr Pius Sampson Opoku, the Tano North Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), has announced a ‘no tolerance for galamsey’ campaign aimed at curbing illegal mining activities within the municipality. He emphasized that individuals involved in these illegal practices would face prosecution, regardless of their political affiliations.

According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Opoku highlighted the importance of protecting the Tano River, the municipality’s sole source of drinking water, from pollution and destruction. He urged local communities to stay vigilant and report any galamsey-related activities to security agencies or the Municipal Assembly.

Mr Opoku’s remarks were made during an address to the chiefs and residents of Yamfo, a mining town within the Newmont Ahafo North project, on the sidelines of a clean-up exercise organized by the assembly. The event, dubbed ‘Operation Clean Your Frontage,’ saw hundreds of residents participate in clearing and sweeping weedy surroundings and desilting choked gutters, aligning with the government’s National Sanitation Day program.

He further stressed that security services would strictly enforce the law against perpetrators of illegal mining, stating, “We will not even listen to any plea of pardon from chiefs and opinion leaders,” ensuring offenders are brought to justice.

Nana Darkowaa Ampem Kyerewaa II, the Paramount Queen-mother of the Yamfo Traditional Area, praised the strong community turnout and encouraged the Assembly to maintain the momentum of the clean-up initiatives. Miss Matilda Rabi Issaka, the Tano North Municipal Environmental Health Officer, underscored the need for collective efforts to enhance sanitation and waste management, calling for stakeholder support.

The clean-up exercise witnessed active participation from security services, public and civil servants, traditional, opinion, and religious leaders, as well as youth, women groups, and students, lasting approximately five hours.