A joint security task force has initiated regular patrols along the Black Volta River in Wechiau, Wa West District, to address rising illegal mining activities threatening the Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary.
The task force, which comprises members from the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, and Ghana Armed Forces, began operations following a report by Asaase Radio that exposed the growing issue of unauthorized mining within the sanctuary’s protected zone.
The Wechiau Hippo Sanctuary, home to a significant population of hippopotamuses and other wildlife, faces environmental degradation due to these mining activities.
This disrupts the ecological balance and endangers the livelihoods of local communities reliant on eco-tourism.
The patrols aim to deter illegal miners and preserve the sanctuary’s natural resources, protecting the environment and the local economy.
