20 arrested for illegal mining in Central Region

The Central North Regional Police Command has arrested 20 suspects in a series of anti-galamsey operations.

The command also seized four excavators, eight pumping machines, and eight "changfans" machines used for the illegal mining activities.

The Central North Regional Police Commander, Deputy Commissioner of Police Abraham Acquaye who briefed the media said the crackdown formed part of the Inspector General of Police's commitment to combat illegal mining activities nationwide.

He indicated that the first of the three recent anti galamsey operations was undetaken on May 25, 2025, when a task force led by himself, conducted an intelligence-led operation at Ebenezer, a suburb of Diaso in the Upper Denkyira West District resulting in the arrest of eight persons engaged in illegal mining activities. 

He said the suspects included 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.

During the operation, DCOP Acquaye said the team seized two excavators and a cylinder, which were transported to the Diaso Police Station. 

Additionally, he stated that eight pumping machines retrieved from the sites were moved to the Regional Headquarters in Assin Fosu.

In another operation on May 29, 2025, DCOP Acquaye said the Dunkwa-On-Offin Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent David Ashong and a team of 20 officers arrested two individuals, Samuel Ankamah and Daniel Agyemang who were illegally mining using excavators along the River Offin. 

Both suspects he said were detained, and the impounded excavators sent to the police station pending further investigation.

DCOP Acquaye said another joint operation was carried out by the Central North Regional Command and the Dunkwa Divisional/District Command, led by ASP Ebenezer Ampah and ASP Emmanuel Bruce leading to the arrest of 10 more suspects.

The arrested individuals he said included Kwesi Attey, Anane Sampson, Saviour Aziati, Augustine Arthur, Gabriel Gidisu, Siame Joe, Louis Ntoseh, Yaw Adomina and Wasiu Latiff. 

He said the operation targeted illegal miners within Dunkwa township and surrounding areas.
DCOP Acquaye said upon seeing the police, several of the suspects jumped into the river and swam across the River offin in an attempt to escape however, police managed to arrest the 10 at the scene.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that the chanfans used in the illegal operation were owned by Kwesi Attey, Aboagye DaCosta, Apeti, and Abass adding that efforts were underway to apprehend these owners to assist in the ongoing investigation.

Changfans burnt

He stated that due to the inability to retrieve or dismantle the chanfans from the river and to prevent the equipment from being reused by the miners, the police set all eight machines ablaze at the scene.

He said all suspects were currently in police custody and would be promptly  processed for court.

Commitment to fight crime

In the last three months, the Central North Regional Police Command acting on the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno has launched a dedicated task force to fight illegal mining and organized crime across the region.

The team, he said had carried out multiple successful operations, leading to the arrest of several illegal miners, seized many excavators, and destroyed many other mining equipment used in galamsey activities.

Unfortunately, the team has lost one of its officer, Constable Dogbe whi drowned in one such operations.

DCOP Acquaye said the command remained unwavering in its resolve to uphold the law, protect natural resources, and ensure lasting security in the region.