Nationwide Operation Targets Illegal Mining
The Ghana Police Service has launched a robust nationwide operation to combat illegal small-scale gold mining, known as galamsey, arresting 208 suspects and recovering 99 excavators between March and May 2025. The crackdown focuses on regions heavily affected by galamsey, such as Samreboi along the Tano River and Wassa Dunkwa in the Western Region, where 58 individuals, including 50 Ghanaians and 8 Chinese nationals, were apprehended in a single operation.
The operation also yielded significant seizures, including 3 bulldozers, 11 changfangs (floating mining platforms), 4 pump-action guns, 3 single-barrel guns, 1 pistol, and various vehicles, motorbikes, generators, and gold detectors. Other regions contributed to the tally: the Western Regional Police Command arrested 19 suspects and retrieved 3 excavators, while the Eastern South Regional Police Command nabbed 24 suspects, including a Burkinabe national, and seized 5 excavators.
Galamsey has long plagued Ghana, causing severe environmental degradation, water pollution, and health risks due to the use of toxic chemicals like mercury. It threatens the livelihoods of millions, particularly cocoa farmers, as fertile lands are destroyed. Studies, such as one from the Asian Journal of Toxicology, highlight the need for innovative solutions like remote sensing and clean mining technologies to mitigate these impacts.
The Ghana Police Service emphasized that all suspects are being processed lawfully, signaling a firm stance against illegal mining. This operation underscores the government’s commitment to tackling galamsey, though challenges remain in addressing foreign involvement and balancing economic needs with environmental conservation in resource-rich areas.