The Atiwa District Assembly has appealed to the National Security apparatus to intervene in flushing out illegal miners whose activities are destroying life and property in the area. The miners use a Chinese technology known as ‘Champhi’ to undertake their activities in the Birim River which serves as a source of drinking water for more than twenty communities. District Chief Executive, Emmanuel Atta Twum, says the assembly is overwhelmed by the miners who are usually armed with offensive weapons. The Atiwa part of the Eastern Region was recently devastated by floods that hit many parts of the country. Environmentalists attribute the floods to illegal mining known popularly as ‘galamsey’, resulting in diversion of the river courses. As a result of pollution, water from the Birim River has been rendered unusable even for cocoa spraying, thereby depriving many farmers of the free spraying exercise. Communities hard hit include Abomosu, Asamama, Akorabooso and Akrofufu in Atiwa District, as well as Kukubi in the Kwaebibirem District. More than fifty of locally manufactured ‘Champhi machines’ have been erected in the Birim River alone. Health officials are worried the use of mercury and other harmful chemicals endanger human life. The Atiwa DCE, Mr. Atta-Twum who chairs the District Security Committee says the miners; mostly from the Volta Region constitute a threat. “In 2009, the Chinese were bringing machines that look like dredges but now, it has been localized. They manufacture them here, put engines into them. There is quite an influx of these Chimphi on the Birim River. They mine in the river bed [and] on the banks.”,he explained. According to Mr. Atta Twum, the District Assembly cannot deal with the miners who are always armed with weapons as they confront farmers whom they say have forcibly taken over their lands. “The enormity of the problem is such that it goes beyond the district so I am always in constant touch with the National Security and the Regional Coordinating Council”. He believes police-military intervention can also help bring the situation under control. “I think when the soldiers and police come, that is where the illegal miners will feel somebody is pursuing them”. Mr. Atta- Twum says farmers feel insecure because the miners seize every piece of land for their activities.