The Central North Regional Police Command has dealt a major blow to illegal mining (galamsey) and the associated drug trade in Ayanfuri, resulting in the arrest of eight individuals.
This successful operation highlights the command’s ongoing frontline efforts in the national fight against environmental degradation and organised crime.
Among those arrested are five Ghanaian nationals: Isaac Odum (39) and Lazarus Sango (44), believed to be the main operators of the site, as well as Stephen Nkrumah (30), Kofi Emmanuel (23), and John Nkrumah (27).
Also apprehended were three Burkinabe nationals—Sulemana Naaba (36), Benjamin Adibanga (29), and Iddis Rogo (30)—indicating the transnational nature of illegal mining in Ghana.
During the raid, officers seized items critical to illegal mining activities, including five pumping machines, two rubber bowls filled with sand suspected to contain gold ore, a gasoline generator, and a gallon of cyanide.
The discovery of cyanide, a highly toxic chemical, raises grave concerns. Its unregulated use in galamsey operations poses serious health risks and contributes to the pollution of water bodies—an issue that has already rendered over 60% of Ghana’s rivers unsafe for consumption.
At a press conference following the arrests, Central North Regional Police Commander, DCOP Abraham Acquaye, confirmed that all suspects are in police custody and will be arraigned in court for prosecution.
However, DCOP Acquaye lamented a major obstacle undermining the fight against galamsey: the prolonged non-functioning of the Assin Fosu District Court.
“The Central North Regional Command’s efforts to combat illegal mining are being hindered by the inactivity of the Assin Fosu District Court, which has been non-operational for over four months due to the judge’s indisposition,” he said.
This judicial vacuum has compelled the police to grant bail to suspects, a development that undermines enforcement efforts and frustrates officers working to bring environmental offenders to justice.
Judicial delays in galamsey-related cases remain a national concern. In response, the Ghana Chamber of Mines and the Judicial Training Institute have begun collaborating to fast-track such cases, acknowledging the impact slow justice has on environmental protection and public confidence in the system.
Despite this challenge, DCOP Acquaye assured the public of the police command’s unwavering resolve to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the region.
To bolster this effort, the Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has deployed over 60 additional personnel from the National Headquarters to support the Central North Regional Command’s operations.
DCOP Acquaye concluded by appealing to the public for continued support, urging citizens to provide timely and reliable intelligence that can aid law enforcement in tackling galamsey and related crimes, including the growing issue of drug trafficking that often accompanies illegal mining.
He emphasised that strong collaboration between the police and the public remains critical in safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources and upholding the rule of law.