The Ashanti Region Anti-Galamsey Task Force has seized six excavators and arrested three foreign nationals involved in illegal mining activities along River Anum in the Bosome Freho District.
The arrested individuals include a Chinese, an Indian, and a Burkinabe national, all caught in an operation aimed at clearing illegal miners from five tributaries of the river.
This crackdown is part of ongoing efforts by the Ashanti Regional Security Council to combat illegal mining, also known as galamsey, which has caused significant environmental damage in the region. The task force is made up of personnel from the Ghana Police Service, Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Minerals Commission, and Ghana Immigration Service.
The operation follows a two-week ultimatum issued by the Ashanti Regional Minister for all illegal miners to cease operations in forests and water bodies. To locate the illegal miners, the EPA deployed drones to track their movements, leading security operatives to the excavation sites. The footage revealed attempts by miners to move heavy equipment upon learning of the task force’s presence.
During the raid, officers also discovered several changfan boats floating on the river, commonly used in illegal mining operations. However, some of the seized excavators could not be transported due to missing control boards, rendering them immobile.
Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, Captain (Retired) John Jabari, described the operation as “about 60% successful”, noting that while some equipment was seized, miners managed to relocate others before arrests could be made.
Several tributaries of River Anum, Anuru, Mentu, Adomesu, Bosompomaa, and Nana Mentu have become hotspots for illegal mining activities, further worsening water pollution in the area.
Authorities have vowed to intensify the fight against galamsey, warning that all illegal miners and their financiers will face legal action.
