A joint anti-galamsey taskforce made up of officers from the Western Regional Police Command and the Wassa Amenfi East Police Command has arrested thirteen individuals for engaging in illegal mining activities at Wassa Gyapa in the Amenfi East Municipality.
The operation, which took place on Monday, May 19, was led by Superintendent Wallie and resulted in the destruction of over 120 “changfan” machines — small-scale mining equipment commonly used in illegal mining operations.
Six motorbikes were also confiscated during the raid.
The arrested suspects include Owusu Asare, 36; Atta Kwame, 18; Apiyanga Emmanuel, 28; Kojo Montanakito, 23; Maxwell Owusu, 19; Obofo Vincent, 22; and Soogal Fataw, 19. Others are Nana Ampadu, 58; Stephen Tetteh, 18; Yaw Dalame, 23; Samuel Amoah, 20; Kwame Oppong, 19; and Francis Oduom, 18.
According to police sources, the suspects will be arraigned before the Tarkwa Circuit Court today, Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to clamping down on illegal mining activities, which have severely impacted water bodies and the environment across several communities in the Western Region.
The crackdown forms part of the ongoing national effort to eliminate galamsey and restore degraded lands and polluted rivers.
Ghana|Atinkaonline.com
