By: Henrietta Avollah Afful
The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has confirmed the arrest of two of its personnel in connection with an alleged extortion case related to illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey’.
In a statement issued in Accra on Thursday, October 2, 2025, the GAF stated that it is working in close collaboration with the Ghana Police Service to investigate the incident, which involved the two soldiers and some civilian accomplices at LongShine Mining Company, in Prestea-Obouho in the Western Region.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on Sunday, September 28, 2025.
The statement, signed by the Acting Director General of Public Relations for the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Navy Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, emphasized that the military does not condone indiscipline or criminal behaviour within its ranks.
“If found culpable, personnel will face the law as any citizen of Ghana,” the statement noted, adding that the GAF will not “shield its personnel involved in criminal activities.”
The Armed Forces assured the public of its commitment to upholding professionalism, accountability, and discipline in all its operations.
READ FULL STATEMENT BELOW
Background
The two suspected soldiers and their civilian accomplices were arrested by the Prestea Police during an alleged attempt to rob LongShine Mining Company Limited, a Chinese-owned mine, on Sunday, September 28, at Prestea-Obouhu.
Confirming the incident in an interview with the media on October 1, 2025, the Public Relations Officer of LongShine Mining, Zion Rootman, said the two suspected soldiers, dressed in military uniforms, together with two masked civilians, invaded the company’s site in a pickup truck.
Mr Rootman explained that due to the suspicious appearance of the individuals, the company quickly alerted the Prestea Police, who rushed to the scene and arrested them. They have since been handed over to the Tarkwa Regional Police Command for further investigation.
Additional reporting by Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
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One Response
Under development of rural areas of Ghana remains the reason “galamsey” has become a popular source of generating income for young men. The active practice of galamsey will continue as long as it remains unregulated means of income generation of young men in rural Ghana. Thus, unemployment in urban areas of Ghana contributes to the popularity of galamsey. Is there anyone with me on this?