The Bono Region, one of Ghana’s leading food-producing areas, is grappling with the devastating consequences of illegal mining, or galamsey. Once-thriving farmlands, forests, and rivers are being destroyed, threatening food security, clean water, and livelihoods.
In the Banda District, the problem is particularly severe. Unregulated mining there is not only destroying cashew plantations but also endangering the Bui hydroelectric dam by filling it with silt. This damage risks undermining both local incomes and the nation’s electricity supply.
Responding to the crisis, the Bono Regional Coordinating Council recently carried out one of its largest anti-galamsey operations. On August 4, 2025, a combined police and military taskforce moved in on the fast-growing illegal mining hub known as “Operator.” The dawn raid dismantled the settlement entirely, arresting 31 miners and destroying over 150 makeshift shelters. Authorities also confiscated or destroyed 11 excavators, 16 motorbikes, 10 tricycles, multiple changfang machines, and gallons of fuel. More than 1,000 residents were forced to leave the area.
While the action has been praised by environmentalists, the human cost is high. Displaced residents, including traders and small business owners, are now facing an uncertain future without homes or jobs. Many say they migrated to the site in search of income, only to lose everything in a single day.
The Regional Coordinating Council has announced plans to present a report to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, seeking support for land reclamation and reforestation. Officials believe restoring farmland is essential for reviving the area’s agricultural output and securing long-term livelihoods.
The Bono crackdown underscores the urgent need for consistent law enforcement, political neutrality in prosecutions, and viable economic alternatives for affected communities. Without sustained action, experts warn that displaced miners may simply move to new areas, continuing the cycle of environmental destruction.
