Three Arrested Over Alleged Illegal Mining Along Birim River in Akyem Oda

By Yaw Opoku Amoako August 6, 2026

Three individuals have been arrested for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities at Asomdwe along the Birim River in the Birim Central Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The arrests were made as authorities intensify efforts to combat illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, which continues to pose a major threat to Ghana’s water bodies, farmlands and the environment.

Speaking after the operation, the Member of Parliament for Akyem Oda, Alexander Akwasi Acquah, commended the security agencies for the arrests but stressed the need for continuous monitoring and enforcement to prevent illegal miners from returning to the affected areas.

He called on the government and security authorities to strengthen measures against illegal mining and ensure that offenders face tougher sanctions.

The MP, however, raised concerns over the handling of an earlier anti-galamsey operation and made allegations against the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), which have not been publicly responded to.

According to Mr Acquah, the MCE led a joint security operation on November 16, 2025 at an illegal mining site near the Birim River Water Treatment Plant, where three suspects — identified as Mawuli, Yeboah and Adamu — were arrested and mining equipment seized.

He alleged that the seized equipment was not submitted to the police as evidence but was instead moved to an undisclosed location, a situation he claimed affected the progress of investigations.

The MP further alleged that the suspects were later released without prosecution and claimed that the MCE demanded money from them before allowing the seized equipment to be released.

Mr Acquah warned that such actions, if proven true, could weaken public confidence in the fight against illegal mining and called for greater accountability from officials involved in anti-galamsey operations.

He urged authorities to ensure that efforts to protect water bodies and the environment are not undermined by actions that compromise law enforcement.

The Municipal Chief Executive is yet to publicly respond to the allegations.