Some of the suspects
Fifty-six alleged illegal miners were rounded up last Thursday in a joint operation by the military and the police at Kedadwen, in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region.
The Western Regional National Security Liaison Officer, Brigadier General Musa Whajah led the operation.
The operation was part of various measures being carried out by the Western Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to clamp down on all illegal mining activities in the region.
Personnel for the operation were drawn from the Second Infantry Battalion, the Regional Police Command, and the Western Naval Command.
The suspects arrested included 47 males and nine females. They were arrested across seven galamsey sites.
They have since been handed over to the Western Regional Police Command for processing.
The personnel later embarked on similar operations at Ahanta West Municipality and Mpohor District, all in the region.
Areas visited included the Norpalm Oil Plantation and Ghana Rubber Company Limited.
They seized various items, including three motorbikes, nine pumping machines, and three excavators.
The security personnel burnt 25 Changfang machines.
Brigadier General Musa Whajah expressed concerns about the devastating impact of illegal mining and vowed to take action against its spread in the region.
“We made some arrests during the operation and they will be screened by the police, and those found culpable will be put before the court,” he stated.
In a related development, a joint Rapid Response Team from the Tarkwa and Takoradi Forest District of the Forestry Commission have arrested eight illegal miners.
The team seized seven motorcycles and three tricycles from the Subri Forest Reserve.
The operation was carried out on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
The suspects have subsequently been handed over to the Western Regional Police Command for further investigations and prosecution.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi