The Western Central Regional Police Command has arrested thirteen individuals for engaging in illegal mining activities at Wassa Gyapa in the Western Region, as part of an intensified nationwide clampdown on galamsey operations.

The operation, conducted on May 19, 2025, also led to the successful disabling of over 120 'changfang' machines—equipment widely used in illegal mining. Additionally, police retrieved six motorbikes from the mining site.

The suspects include: Nana Ampadu, Stephen Tetteh, Yaw Dalame, Samuel Amoah, Kwame Oppong, Francis Oduom, Owusu Asare, Atta Kwame, Apiyanga Emmanuel, Kojo Montanakito, Maxwell Owusu, Obofo Vincent, and Soogal Fataw. They are expected to appear before the Tarkwa Circuit Court on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

This latest arrest follows a similar operation in the Eastern Region, where the Eastern South Regional Police Command arrested fourteen suspects on May 15, 2025, for illegal mining at Akyem Muoso.

The accused in that case were arraigned before the Koforidua Circuit Court B on May 16, where each was granted bail set at GHS 350,000 with two sureties, one of whom must provide proof of ownership of movable property.

During the Eastern Region operation, police also recovered a pump-action shotgun from one of the suspects, Zuberu Nuhoho, who was unable to present documentation for the weapon. Additionally, two excavator control boards were seized at the mining site.

These enforcement actions form part of a wider national campaign against illegal mining spearheaded by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno, aimed at curbing the environmental destruction and lawlessness associated with galamsey.

In support of these efforts, government has also introduced initiatives such as the Blue Water Guards—specially trained personnel deployed to protect Ghana’s water bodies from the harmful impacts of illegal mining.

As the anti-galamsey operations continue, authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to restoring order, protecting natural resources, and holding perpetrators accountable under the law.