The Ellembelle Blue Water Guards initiative has recorded significant achievements in combating illegal mining, also known as galamsey, in the Western Region.

In an interview, Stephen Afena, Co-ordinator of the initiative, said the outfit had reduced the number of excavator sites in the Ellembelle District from many to fewer than four.

He said that, prior to their intervention, many water bodies in the district, including River Fiano, River Subri, River Amanzule, and River Broma, were damaged by galamsey activities but have since been restored to their original state.

However, Mr Afena attributed the recent damage to three of these rivers to a lack of transportation and logistics for operations, as well as to the activities of illegal miners.

He expressed gratitude to the sector minister and the Minerals Commission for providing a pickup and four motorbikes, which have enabled them to make significant progress in restoring the rivers.

Mr Afena stated that the Blue Water Guards would continue to play a frontline role in safeguarding the country’s river bodies and forest reserves, and urged illegal miners to adopt environmentally friendly mining practices.

He also appealed for increased support and logistics to enable the Guards to effectively combat galamsey activities in the district.