A high-level anti-galamsey (illegal mining) operation led by the Ghana Police Service in collaboration with the Western Regional Security Council has resulted in the arrest of 13 suspects and the deactivation of over 120 changfang machines used in illegal mining at Wassa Gyapa in the Western Region.
A Swift and Targeted Crackdown
According to credible reports from the Ghana Police Service and local authorities, the operation forms part of an intensified national effort to clamp down on environmentally destructive illegal mining activities that continue to pollute river bodies and threaten forest reserves across Ghana.
The suspects, all believed to be actively engaged in unauthorized gold mining operations, were apprehended during a dawn swoop. The changfang machines — illegal floating dredgers often used on rivers — were dismantled and set ablaze on-site under the supervision of an environmental task force.
Authorities Reinforce Commitment
Speaking to the media, the Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending galamsey. “This is not just about arresting people; it’s about saving lives, protecting our water bodies, and ensuring sustainable development,” he stated.
The arrested individuals are currently assisting the police with investigations and are expected to be arraigned before court soon.
Community Support and Surveillance
Authorities have also called for stronger community support and intelligence-sharing to ensure lasting success in the fight against galamsey. Meanwhile, drones and surveillance systems are expected to be deployed to monitor illegal activities in the region.
This operation adds to the series of nationwide crackdowns aimed at restoring sanity to Ghana’s mining sector, which has long been plagued by illegal operations.
Read More: 2 Arrested for Illegal Mining in Ghana’s Western Region