The Bono Regional Minister, Joseph Addae Akwaboa, has reaffirmed his commitment to the fight against illegal mining, also known as galamsey, insisting that authorities will not relent in their crackdown in Atronie and across the Bono Region.

Speaking to the media after inspecting excavators and other equipment impounded during anti-galamsey operations by the Bono Regional Security Council (REGSEC), the Minister said the region had made significant progress despite criticism over the handling of illegal mining in Atronie.

"We have taken steps in what has happened at Atronie. We want to go through all the directions that have been given by REGSEC, and after that we will hold a press conference to give details about what has happened at Atronie," he said.

He assured residents that government would not allow illegal mining to thrive in the region.

"We will not sit down for galamsey to happen. Yes, we are combating galamsey. It is not that easy, but it doesn't mean that we shouldn't combat it," Mr Akwaboa stressed.

The Minister disclosed that all known illegal mining sites had been communicated to the relevant security agencies for coordinated action.

"We have written to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), and we have given them all the areas where galamsey is ongoing. They have started taking steps to fight those engaged in galamsey in the Bono Region. We are not relenting in our efforts to stop galamsey," he stated.

His comments come amid growing tension between the Regional Coordinating Council and the Atronie Traditional Council, which recently accused the Minister of failing to respond promptly to repeated warnings about illegal mining that has polluted the Amoma River and destroyed farmlands.

The chiefs alleged that delays in official action emboldened illegal miners and further claimed that during a visit to affected sites, landguards prevented the Minister from accessing parts of the area while illegal miners openly defied authority.

The traditional authorities have invoked the wrath of their local deity after alleging that the government has failed to halt the pollution of their river.

However, Mr Akwaboa rejected the allegations and suggestions that he had been inactive, maintaining that his record speaks for itself.

"People will get to know what is happening in Atronie and who is telling the truth. You have seen the excavators for yourselves. This has been the work of REGSEC. We are not sleeping. We are combating galamsey," he said.

The Minister pointed to the seizure of 11 excavators, eight tricycles, 32 motorbikes, water pumping machines and generators as evidence of the regional security council's determination to clamp down on illegal mining.

"These are not NAIMOS operations. These are REGSEC operations," he added.

Responding to a question of whether owners of the impounded equipment have owned up, Mr Akwaboa declared that, "Nobody can approach me. If you come to me, I will arrest you. I don't even know who owns these excavators. I've impounded them. That's the bottom line."

He further revealed that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources is pursuing legislation that would allow the state to permanently confiscate seized mining equipment.

While declining to respond in detail to the allegations from the Atronie Traditional Council, the Minister said he would address them at the appropriate time, adding that he possesses "undisputed video evidence" of his visit to the mining sites.

For now, he said his priority remains supporting state institutions to sustain the crackdown and protect the region's water bodies, including the heavily polluted Amoma River.

"The President doesn't want galamsey, and therefore we will make sure that we combat galamsey in the Bono Region," Mr Akwaboa affirmed.