Police Arrests 20 Illegal Miners in 3-Day Crackdown

Within a span of three days, the Central North Regional Police Command successfully arrested 20 illegal miners during separate operations conducted in the Upper East and West Districts of the Central Region.

Leading the effort was the Anti-Galamsey Operations Team, which also confiscated four excavators, eight pumping machines and eight “chanfans” (dredging machines).

The police also set fire to eight pieces of illegal mining equipment found at the sites, as part of the crackdown.

In addition, the Command has solicited public support to apprehend three people; Kwesi Atta, Aboagye DaCosta and Apeti Abass, suspected of renting mining equipment to illegal miners operating along the Offin River.

The call for their arrests had been prompted by the police’s inability to remove or dismantle the chanfans from the river, as well as the need to prevent these machines from being reclaimed and reused by the miners.

All suspects are currently cooperating with investigators and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) Abraham Acquaye, Central North Commander, told the Ghana News Agency that the operations aligned with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohunu’s nationwide commitment to eradicate illegal mining activities.

On Sunday, May 25, 2025 he said he personally led the intelligence-driven operation in Ebenezer community, a suburb of Diaso, the capital of the Upper Denkyira West District.

The operation led to the arrest of eight suspects – Kwame Joe, 45; Yaw Mireku, 28; Mark Baba, 18; Kofi Donkor,18; Nana Kwame, 26; Yaw Marfo, 30; Okyere David, 18 and Kwaku Asante, 28, allegedly involved in illegal mining.

DCOP Acquaye said two excavators and a cylinder machine seized from the site were taken to Diaso Police Station, while eight water pumping machines recovered were moved to the Central North Regional headquarters in Assin Fosu.

He said on Thursday, May 29, the Anti-Galamsey Operations Team, led by Chief Superintendent David Ashong and other officers, arrested illegal miners including Samuel Ankamah and Daniel Agyemang, operating excavators along the River Offin, a vital water source for local communities.

Additionally, he said on Friday, May 30, a joint operation led by ASP Ebenezer Ampah targeted illegal mining in Dunkwa Township and nearby areas, where miners were using eight dredgers known locally as “tototo.”

He said despite attempts to escape by swimming across the river, police arrested ten miners, including Kwesi Attey, Anane Sampson and others.

Recovered items from the site included black residue suspected to be mining-related, fresh wooden boards, and moulded metal materials found along the riverbank.

The Central North Regional Police Commander announced that over the past three months, following directives from the IGP, the Command has established a dedicated taskforce to combat illegal mining and organised crime throughout the region.

Through that, the specialised Operations Team has conducted numerous successful missions, resulting in the arrest of several illegal miners, the seizure of excavators and the destruction of other equipment used in unauthorised mining activities, commonly known as galamsey.

Despite the tragic loss of Constable Dogbe during an operation in April, 2025 the Commander expressed the Command’s unwavering commitment to enforcing the law, protecting natural resources, and ensuring lasting security in the community.

The Command strongly urged residents in galamsey-affected areas to cease illegal mining, emphasising the significant environmental harm and repercussions.

He highlighted that such activities contaminated water sources, damaged ecosystems and hindered sustainable development, warning that offenders would face arrest and prosecution.

Furthermore, the Command called on community members to actively report illegal mining and other criminal activities to help maintain peace and security in the Region.

From Isaac Arkoh, Cape Coast

GNA

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