The Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners taskforce has arrested 29 illegal miners in the Kwaebibirim Municipality of the Eastern Region.
The illegal miners were caught during a raid at two different locations in Akyem Pramkese and Akyem Abodom after destroying cocoa farms and palm oil plantations covering several acres.
As part of the Ghana National Association of Small Scale Miners' pledge to ensure that the Birim River in the Eastern Region is restored to its natural state, the task force launched a special operation in the Kwaebibirim Municipality of the Eastern Region where 29 illegal miners were caught in Akyem Pramkese and Akyem Abodom.
Many cocoa farms and palm oil plantations in the area have been destroyed by the actions of the illegal miners. The culprits were taken to Pramkese Police Station and then to Kibi Divisional Police Command where they are expected to be processed for court.
Patrick Don-Chebe, who is in charge of the task force, told Adom News that some politicians and opinion leaders were getting in the way.
He says that some "members of the top" are trying to use their power to get criminals released from prison, which is slowing down their work.
But Mr Don-Chebe says the interference has stopped because they now have full control over all activities, including arrests.
Some of the farmers in the area who spoke to Adom News praised the taskforce, but were worried about how the illegal miners had taken over their farms by force.