The Bui Dam has a power capacity of 400 megawatts (MW), making it the second-largest hydroelectric generating plant in the country after the Akosombo Dam.

The illegal mining activities are said to be causing environmental degradation, including deforestation and water pollution, which can affect the dam's operations.

The Minister made this known when he toured some galamsey affected areas at Branam, Wenchi and Surugbokrom at Banda District in the region accompanied by members of the Regional Security Council (RESEC) to assess their impact and the appropriate actions needed to stop the activities.

He immediately did not disclose the measures but said very soon for security reasons.

He noted that the National Security has been tasked to provide detailed information including locations and operational areas.

 He added that this will further inform the kind of stringent measures to use to stop the illegal mining in the area. “You could see the colour of the river (Tain river), and if we don’t act fast, it is going to affect the Bui Dam”, the Minister told the media.

The Minister hinted at a possible coordinated discussion with the sector minister, that is, the minister of Lands and Natural Resources and with combined efforts and stringent measures, the menace could be stopped.

He noted that with his interaction with the RESEC members, they have seen spots and coordinates of the galamsey operations locations and have advanced their plans and strategies to tackle stopping their operations.

The illegal mining in Branam area in Wenchi and Banda Boase, Surugbokrom in Banda District is currently a safe haven for the galasmeyers flushed out in the Southern sector. The activities have led to deforestation, destroying of water bodies, cashew farms and the environment at large.

The Regional minister was worried that time will come and people will not get drinking water and food to eat.

The destruction of the forest, the Minister noted, also includes the activities of nomadic cattle headmen in the area.

He said he will be collaborating with the Forestry Commission to deal with the menace of cattle headmen destroying the forest vegetation.

Reports suggest that galamsey activities have been going on in the area for decades with the local people with minimal destruction.

However, from 2022 to date, some Chinese nationals have collaborated with local galamsey operators in Surugbokrom, Branam and its surrounding communities providing equipment and expertise in exchange for gold.

This partnership has contributed to the proliferation of sophisticated illegal mining activities in the area.

This involvement of Chinese nationals in galamsey operations in the area has been a contentious issue, with concerns about environmental degradation and exploitation of local communities, including sale of cashew farms to illegal miners.

The illegal miners, who are using toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide to extract gold, do the washing openly and in some instances wash to a shallow pit. When it rains the overflowing pit spills the chemicals over the land causing serious environmental pollution.

The Tain River which plays a crucial role in supporting the livelihoods of communities along it bank is severely polluted and the water colour is changed and looks milky brown due such activities.

The river is completely destroyed through pollution. There is intermittent blockage of the river along and direct washing of chemicals into it.

Communities such as Wenchi, Banda, Kabrono and Tain rely on the River for Drinking water; Irrigation for agriculture, Fishing, Livestock and Household chores and the activities is now posing serious threat to their livelihood.

The Regional Minister cautioned King's Award Ghana Ltd, a gold exploration company at Branam, Wenchi,  not to get itself involved in illegal mining since their role was to carry out gold exploration.

He also appealed to chiefs not to get themselves involved in illegal mining and giving out land for such purposes as they could be trekking on the law.