The Ghana Armed Forces has commenced the fourth phase of Operation Halt II in the Western Region.

The fourth phase focuses on illegal mining on the River Ankobra and its tributries.

Consequently, 401 military officers have been deployed for operation which seeks to remove all persons and logistics involved in mining from water bodies.

A statement signed and issued by the Minister of Information, Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, thus advised the public to stay away from mining in water bodies to avoid any action by the forces.

The first phase of ‘Operation Halt’ focused on the Pra River along the Central Region.

The second phase focused on the Oda River and River Offin in the Ashanti and Central Regions, while the third phase focused on River Ayensu and Birim in the Eastern Region.

So far, the team has destroyed 49 excavators, 228 changfans, and 87 water pumping machines among other mining equipment.

The destruction of especially the excavators has been faced with a lot of criticisms.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has however justified the burning of equipment and challenged persons in disagreement to challenge the government’s move in court.