The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has launched a sweeping crackdown on illegal mining popularly known as galamsey across key hotspot in three regions in Ghana resulting in the arrest of 30 suspects and the destruction of mining equipment.
The high-impact operations, ordered earlier last week, were carried out in the Western, Ashanti, and Central Regions, targeting illegal mining activities that pose environmental threats and public safety risks, particularly in residential areas and along major roadways.
In one of the major operations at Huniso, near Tarkwa in the Western Region, 13 suspects were apprehended. They have been remanded by the Tarkwa Circuit Court and are expected to reappear on 6th June 2025.
In the Ashanti Region, at Akrokerri, near Obuasi, police raided an illegal mining site located just 200 metres from Asare Bediako Senior High School.
The site, which was being blasted with explosives, caused damage to school property. Acting on IGP Yohuno’s directive, Ashanti South Regional Police Commander ACP Joseph Nyaaba led a team that arrested nine individuals found actively mining.
A separate raid in the Dunkwa-On-Offin area of the Central Region, conducted on 29th May, led to the arrest of two suspects—Samuel Ankamah and Daniel Agyeman—who were caught operating excavators along the banks of the River Offin.
The raid was led by Divisional Commander Superintendent David Ashong, ASP Emmanuel Bruce (FPU Base Commander), and a 20-man team. The suspects and the excavators are currently in police custody.
Back in the Western Region, a large-scale operation was also conducted at Wassa Dadieso, known for illegal mining pits within residential compounds. Chief Superintendent William Jabialu, the Wassa Akropong District Police Commander, led 73 officers and nine senior police personnel in a raid that arrested several illegal miners operating near public roads.
The police extended the action to Wassa Gyapa, another notorious galamsey zone. More than 135 chanfan machines were destroyed and set ablaze during the exercise, while six suspects were arrested under difficult terrain conditions. A motorbike was also seized during the operation.
All suspects arrested across the various regions are currently in custody and assisting police with investigations. They are expected to be arraigned in court in the coming days.
