The suspects
The Bekwai Circuit Court has remanded 22 individuals, including 21 nationals of Burkina Faso and one Ghanaian, into prison custody for their alleged involvement in illegal mining activities at Esaase Bontefufuo in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region.
The suspects were arrested during a joint operation led by the Amansie West District Security Council (DISEC), the District Police Command, and the Formed Police Unit (FPU), headed by ASP Solomon Adusei Berko.
According to ASP Berko, the operation followed credible intelligence that some foreign nationals were engaged in illegal mining in river bodies, causing extensive environmental destruction and water pollution.
Upon reaching the site, the security team found the suspects actively mining with Changfan machines. They were apprehended after failing to produce any legal authorisation or licence to operate.
The accused persons, led by 32-year-old Ghanaian, Issah Amadu, were arraigned before His Honour Isaac Appiatu and charged with conspiracy to commit crime and undertaking mining operations without a licence, contrary to sections 23(1) of Act 29/60 and 99(2)(a) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2019 (Act 995).
Prosecuting, ASP Lloyd Baidoo, Esq., told the court that the Ghanaian national, Amadu, faces two additional counts under the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694), for recruiting and exploiting three nationals of Burkina Faso.
The prosecution revealed that the accused deceived the victims and transported them to Esaase to work at his mining site under harsh and exploitative conditions.
During investigations, the foreign nationals mentioned one Martin, a Ghanaian, as the owner of the mining site who allegedly paid them the cedi equivalent of 5,000 CFA francs monthly. However, they could not lead the police to his location.
ASP Baidoo further stated that Amadu later reported to the Manso Nkwanta Police Station claiming ownership of the site and admitted that three of the suspects were his workers. He was, however, arrested after failing to produce a valid mining licence.
The court remanded all 22 accused persons into prison custody to reappear on November 7, 2025, while efforts are underway to arrest Martin and two others currently at large.
FROM David Afum, Bekwai