The Ghana Police Service is stepping up its fight against illegal mining with renewed determination and results.
In one of the biggest swoops this month, police have arrested sixteen individuals, including a foreign national, in a high-risk operation to clamp down on galamsey activities destroying vital forest reserves in the Ashanti Region.
The battle against illegal mining, or galamsey, saw a breakthrough on June 19, when the Ghana Police Service, acting on intelligence, launched a coordinated operation at the Essuminya and Apraprama Forest Reserves in the Ashanti Region.
A combined team from the National Police Headquarters and the Manso Adubia DistrictCommand moved in swiftly, arresting sixteen suspects who were actively engaging in illegal mining within the protected forests.
Among those arrested were Kwesi Frimpong (52), Samuel Okyere (44), Jackson Nana Boafo (32), Saddick Abubakar (44), Collins Asare (35), Joshua Ofori (25), Emmanuel Akwesi (42), Augustine Mensah (38), Stephen Amoako (25), Vincent Ofori (30), Andrews Oppong (31), Nyaba Atonkoni (31), Stephen Kwabena Owusu (41), George Badji (28), Dorgumu Fredrick (24), and Cheke Chen (35), a foreign national.
The operation also led to the retrieval of two pump-action guns, eight live BB cartridges, pumping machines, and four excavators used in the mining activities.
Police say efforts are ongoing to haul the heavy-duty excavators from the forest as part of their evidence collection.
All the suspects are currently in police custody, assisting with investigations and are expected to be arraigned before the court in the coming days.
The Ghana Police Service has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the fight against illegal mining, vowing to protect the country’s environment, water bodies, and future from the devastating effects of galamsey.
This latest arrest sends a strong message to illegal miners and their financiers: the police are not backing down. The war on galamsey is far from over.
By Peter Quao Adattor
