By Felix Cofie
The Ghana Police Service has stepped up its fight against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, with a series of intelligence-led operations that have resulted in the arrest of 49 suspects across several mining-prone regions of the country.
The coordinated operations were conducted at Huniso, Wassa-Dadieso, and Wassa-Gyapa in the Western Region; Akrokerri in the Ashanti Region; Dunkwa-On-Offin and Diaso in the Central Region; and along the Awin River at Pankese and Akyem Akwadum in the Eastern Region.
According to a police statement, the raids led to the seizure of several mining-related equipment and materials used in the illegal activity.
In the Western Region, the Western Central Regional Police Command apprehended 19 suspects, disabled over 135 chanfan machines, and retrieved 23 water pumping machines, four excavator batteries, and a motorbike.
At Akrokerri in the Ashanti Region, the Ashanti South Regional Police Command arrested nine individuals in connection with illegal mining operations.
In the Eastern Region, operations carried out along the Awin River at Pankese and Akyem Akwadum led to the arrest of 11 suspects. Recovered items included one excavator monitor, two excavator pedals, seven excavator control boards, and a gold-detecting device.
Meanwhile, in the Central Region, the Central North Regional Police Command arrested 10 suspects at Dunkwa-On-Offin and Diaso. Police retrieved four excavators, eight pumping machines, and one cylinder machine used in the illegal activities.
All 49 suspects are currently in police custody and assisting with ongoing investigations.
The Ghana Police Service reiterated its commitment to working with stakeholders to clamp down on illegal mining, which continues to pose a significant threat to the country’s environment and water bodies.
