Wassa Gyapa, Western Region – May 21, 2025 – The Western Central Regional Police Command has arrested 13 individuals involved in illegal mining operations at Wassa Gyapa in the Western Region, intensifying Ghana’s national fight against galamsey.
The anti-galamsey operation, conducted on May 19, 2025, also led to the disabling of over 120 changfang machines, which were being used to extract gold illegally from river bodies and wetlands. Additionally, six motorbikes were seized from the site.
Arrested Suspects
The arrested suspects have been named as:
- Nana Ampadu
- Stephen Tetteh
- Yaw Dalame
- Samuel Amoah
- Kwame Oppong
- Francis Oduom
- Owusu Asare
- Atta Kwame
- Apiyanga Emmanuel
- Kojo Montanakito
- Maxwell Owusu
- Obofo Vincent
- Soogal Fataw
They are expected to appear before the Tarkwa Circuit Court today, Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Nationwide Operations Intensify
This crackdown comes as part of a nationwide effort by the Ghana Police Service, under the leadership of Inspector General of Police, Dr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, to eliminate illegal mining and protect the environment.
In a related operation, the Eastern South Regional Police Command arrested 14 illegal miners on May 15, 2025, at Akyem Muoso in the Eastern Region. The suspects were arraigned before the Koforidua Circuit Court B on May 16 and granted bail of GHC350,000 each, with two sureties—one of whom must justify with movable property.
During that operation, police retrieved a pump action gun from Zuberu Nuhoho, who could not produce valid documentation. Two excavator control boards were also seized from the mining site.
Government Support and Blue Water Guards Initiative
The government has thrown its weight behind the anti-galamsey fight with several strategic interventions, including the recent launch of the Blue Water Guards—specially trained personnel assigned to protect Ghana’s water bodies from pollution and destruction by illegal mining.
The Ghana Police Service has reiterated its commitment to the rule of law and environmental protection, urging the public to report illegal mining activities in their communities.
🔗 Ghana Police Service Twitter Update
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