The Central North Regional Police Command of the Ghana Police Service has apprehended 20 individuals suspected of engaging in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey activities across various parts of the Central Region.
As part of the clampdown, four excavators, eight pumping machines, and eight chanfangs were confiscated during a series of targeted operations.
On May 25, 2025, a team led by Regional Commander, DCOP Abraham Acquaye carried out an intelligence-driven raid at Ebenezer, near Diaso in the Upper Denkyira West District. Eight persons were taken into custody during the exercise.
The arrested individuals were identified as 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).
Police also impounded two excavators and a cylinder machine, which were transported to the Diaso Police Station. In addition, eight pumping machines were secured and moved to the Regional Police Headquarters in Assin Fosu.
In a separate operation conducted on May 29, 2025, officers led by Chief Superintendent David Ashong and ASP Emmanuel Bruce, supported by 20 personnel, arrested two suspects, Samuel Ankamah and Daniel Agyemang, who were found operating excavators along the Offin River. The excavators were also seized as part of the enforcement activity.
Meanwhile, acting on intelligence, another group of officers arrested several individuals illegally mining on the Offin River using mounted dredgers in the Dunkwa township area. The suspects include Kwesi Attey, Anane Sampson, Saviour Aziati, Augustine Arthur, Gabriel Gidisu, Siame Joe, Louis Ntoseh, Yaw Adomina, and Wasiu Latiff.
Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the chanfans used for the operations on the river were owned by individuals identified as Kwesi Attey, Aboagye DaCosta, Apeti, and Abass. Efforts are currently underway to locate and question them as part of the ongoing investigations.
Due to logistical constraints in removing the chanfans from the river, and to avoid the risk of them being reused, the police set all eight machines ablaze on site.
Additional materials recovered from the scene included a small quantity of suspected mining residue, eight freshly cut wooden boards, and moulded metal components found along the river’s edge.
All suspects are in police custody and are expected to be processed for court in the coming days.
BY AKWASI ADDO
