The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has initiated a series of coordinated operations targeting illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey, in towns notorious for such practices across the Western, Ashanti, and Central Regions.
The crackdown follows reports of rampant mining in residential areas and near major highways.
So far, 38 suspects have been arrested during separate police raids in Wassa Dadieso, Wassa Gyapa, Akrokerri, Diaso, and Huniso near Tarkwa.
In the Western Region, a police team stormed an illegal mining site at Huniso, near Tarkwa, and arrested 13 individuals. The suspects have since been remanded by the Tarkwa Circuit Court and are expected to reappear on June 6.
Another raid took place at Akrokerri, near Obuasi in the Ashanti Region, where illegal miners were found using explosives dangerously close—about 200 metres—to the Asare Bediako Senior High School.
The activity had caused significant damage to school property and surrounding lands. Acting on the IGP’s directive, Ashanti South Regional Police Commander ACP Joseph Nyaaba led a team to the scene, arresting nine suspects actively working at the site.
On May 29, the IGP also ordered an operation at Dunkwa-On-Offin in the Central Region. A team led by Divisional Commander ASP Emmanuel Bruce and Dunkwa-On-Offin FPU Base Commander Supol David Ashong arrested two operators, Samuel Ankamah and Daniel Agyeman, who were found using excavators along the River Offin.
Both suspects, along with the equipment, are currently in police custody pending further investigation.
A separate major operation occurred at Wassa Dadieso, a community noted for illegal mining within residential areas and alongside highways. The raid, led by Wassa Akropong District Police Commander Chief Superintendent William Jabialu, involved nine senior officers and 73 personnel.
It began at Wassa Dadieso and extended to Wassa Gyapa—another illegal mining hotspot. The police arrested six illegal miners and destroyed over 135 chanfan machines, despite difficult, muddy terrain. One motorbike was also seized.
Additionally, a May 29 raid at Ebenezer, a suburb of Diaso in the Upper Denkyira West District, resulted in the arrest of eight suspects.
One excavator and several mining tools were also seized. All suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue ahead of possible court appearances.
The IGP has emphasized that the police will continue to act decisively to clamp down on illegal mining, especially where it endangers lives, damages public infrastructure, and pollutes water bodies.
Source: Erastus Asare Donkor