By Daniel Donkor
The fight against illegal mining, widely known as galamsey, has gained renewed momentum in the Bono Region following the arrest of eight suspects at the Amomaso Forest near the Berekum Municipality.
According to a statement issued by the Bono Regional Police Command and signed by its Public Relations Officer, Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, the arrests were made on Tuesday, May 20, 2026, after police responded to a distress call at about 4:00 p.m.
The statement said local youth in Amomaso intercepted and apprehended the suspects while they were allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities within the forest enclave. Acting on the tip-off, a patrol team from the Berekum District Police Command was immediately dispatched to the scene.
Upon arrival, officers found the suspects already in the custody of community members. Police subsequently took over the operation, formally re-arresting the suspects and retrieving items believed to have been used in the illegal activity.
Items recovered at the scene included a pickaxe, four shovels, a water-pumping machine and a woollen carpet commonly used in gold-washing activities. Authorities say the items point to active involvement in illegal mining.
The suspects have been identified as 23-year-old Atule Nathaniel, 22-year-old Azusiwine Cletus, 15-year-old Ayaama Thomas, 23-year-old Asigiya Joseph, 37-year-old Aboyinga Aselise, 20-year-old Atanbire Reymond, 46-year-old Isaac Ntim and 25-year-old Aguya Isaac.
They are currently in police custody assisting with investigations.
Chief Inspector Akeelah said processes are underway to prepare the suspects for prosecution, stressing the command’s commitment to enforcing laws against illegal mining, which continues to threaten Ghana’s environment, water bodies and agricultural lands.
“The Bono Regional Police Command commends the vigilance and cooperation of the Amonaso community,” the statement said. “We urge the public to remain proactive and report all illegal mining activities to the police to help safeguard our natural resources.”
Illegal mining remains a major national concern, with authorities intensifying enforcement efforts and community engagement to curb the destructive practice and protect the country’s ecological future.
