Accra, Ghana – April 22, 2025
In a renewed push against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has initiated a major reshuffle of Police Commanders in areas heavily affected by the menace.
The reshuffle, which officials describe as the first phase of a broader realignment, is aimed at injecting renewed energy and accountability into the fight against illegal mining. Key changes have taken place in the Eastern South, Western, and Western North Police Regions, where illegal mining continues to pose a grave threat to the environment and national resources.
According to the Ghana Police Service, more reshuffles are expected in the coming weeks as part of a nationwide strategy to reposition the service for more effective law enforcement in galamsey-prone areas.
Major Arrests in the Western Region
Coinciding with the leadership shakeup, the Police have recorded a major breakthrough in the war against illegal mining. A four-day intelligence-led operation, which began on April 17, 2025, in the Samreboi enclave of the Western Region, has led to the arrest of 47 individuals suspected of engaging in illegal mining activities.
The suspects include 39 Ghanaians and 8 Chinese nationals, among them four women. They were apprehended while operating along the banks of the Tano River and within the Aboi, Subri, and Nimiri forest reserves—areas designated for environmental protection.
Exhibits retrieved during the operation include:
- Seventeen (17) excavators
- One (1) bulldozer
- Four (4) motorbikes
- Two (2) Toyota Hilux vehicles
- One (1) Toyota RAV4
- Four (4) pump-action guns
- One (1) single-barrel gun
- Fifty-four (54) live BB cartridges
- Eight (8) water pumping machines
All suspects are currently in police custody and will be processed for court in accordance with Ghanaian law.
Call for Public Cooperation
The Ghana Police Service has reiterated its commitment to working closely with other state institutions and the general public to combat illegal mining. The Service urges citizens to report suspicious mining activity and continues to emphasize that environmental protection is a shared responsibility.
By Peter Quao Adattor
