The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has confirmed that the recent road accident involving officials of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and journalists in the Ashanti Region was triggered by a violent attack from illegal miners.
According to the Ministry, the EPA team, which was conducting anti-galamsey inspections near Obuasi, came under assault from a group of illegal miners who pelted them with stones, forcing the team to flee the scene.
The Director of Communications at the Ministry, Ama Mawuse, disclosed during a media briefing that the EPA team was inspecting unauthorized mining operations and floating device manufacturers when the miners ambushed them.
“They were going round the country identifying people operating mining machines and manufacturing floating devices without permits. It was during one of these operations that illegal miners spotted and attacked them,” Ms. Mawuse explained.
In their attempt to escape the assault, the convoy took an alternative route, leading to a serious accident that left several people injured, including two journalists.
“Two journalists were in critical condition, but the latest report indicates they are now stable. One underwent surgery yesterday, and others sustained minor injuries,” she added.
The Ministry described the incident as “unfortunate and deeply regrettable.”
Ms. Mawuse also conveyed the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Hon. Armah-Kofi Buah’s disappointment over the development, emphasizing that government remains firmly committed to eradicating illegal mining.
Meanwhile, as part of ongoing anti-galamsey operations, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Squad (NAIMOS) on Friday arrested a Chinese national for engaging in illegal mining in the Eastern Region. The suspect has since been handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for further investigations.