The Ghana Police Service has made significant strides in the battle against illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, following a strategic reshuffle of commanders in mining-prone regions.
Under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, the service has restructured key divisional and district commanders in the Eastern South, Western, and Western North Police Regions. This reshuffle aims to inject new energy and reinvigorate the ongoing fight against illegal mining, which has wreaked havoc on the country’s environment and water bodies.
This reshuffle marks the first phase of a broader strategy, with plans to extend these changes to more areas across the country in the coming months.
As part of the renewed anti-galamsey push, the Ghana Police launched a major four-day intelligence-led operation in the Samreboi enclave of the Western Region on April 17, 2025. The operation specifically targeted illegal mining activities along the Tano River, as well as in the Aboi, Subri, and Nimiri forest areas.
During the operation, 47 suspects were arrested, including 39 Ghanaians, 8 Chinese nationals, and 4 women. The arrested individuals have been taken into custody and are set to be processed through the legal system.
Seized Items and Breakdown of the Operation
The police successfully confiscated a significant amount of equipment used in illegal mining operations. The following items were seized:
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17 excavators
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1 bulldozer
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4 motorbikes
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2 Toyota Hilux vehicles
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1 Toyota RAV4 vehicle
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4 pump-action guns
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1 single-barrel gun
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54 live BB cartridges
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8 water pumping machines
These items are often crucial to the illegal mining activities that continue to destroy the country’s natural resources.
The Ghana Police Service has reiterated its unwavering commitment to tackling the illegal mining crisis, emphasizing that this operation is just one part of an ongoing series of measures aimed at curbing the environmental destruction caused by galamsey.
IGP Christian Tetteh Yohuno assured the public that the police will continue to press forward with the fight, stating that no individual or group involved in illegal mining would be spared, regardless of their status or nationality.
Illegal mining continues to be a major environmental challenge in Ghana, with galamsey activities leading to the pollution of rivers and streams, deforestation, and land degradation. The government and security services have ramped up their efforts to tackle the issue, but the persistence of illegal mining remains a significant obstacle to achieving long-term environmental sustainability.
With the ongoing reshuffling of command personnel and the success of recent operations, the Ghana Police Service hopes to build on this momentum and bring lasting change to the country’s fight against illegal mining.
Source: Thepressradio.com
