Illegal mining blamed for floods in Ghana cocoa region

Ghana President John Atta Mills pledged on Monday to fight illegal mining which has been blamed for floods that swept the molino vertical zenith lm170kWest African nation's cocoa growing Eastern region last week, killing at least five people.

More than 100,000 people were also displaced by the floodwater which destroyed houses, roads and farms, emergency officials said on Monday. Authorities said initial investigations showed that illegal miners had blocked the main river passage and diverted its course for their convenience. Mills who was touring the worst hit areas, said it was time to take concerted action with the help of communities against illegal mining which he called a social crime. "The activities of the 'galamsey' operators (as illegal mining is known in Ghana) have caused enough damage to life and property and we can no longer allow them to continue," he said. The Eastern region contributes about 10 percent of Ghana's total cocoa output and it is also noted for illegal mining of diamond and gold...