In a decisive show of its renewed commitment to environmental preservation, the government has launched a fresh fight against galamsey, resulting in the arrest of 26 individuals, comprising both foreign nationals and Ghanaians.
The operation, spearheaded by the Ghana Police Service in collaboration with the Forestry Commission, signals a serious effort by the state to confront the deep-rooted menace of galamsey.
According to the Deputy CEO of the Forestry Commission, Elikem Kotoko, the coordinated raid took place on April 17, 2025, and focused on known illegal mining hotspots in the Western North Region.
“On the eve of Good Friday, just after wrapping up my working visit to the Ashanti Region, I joined an intelligence-led Ghana Police Service personnel on behalf of the Forestry Commission Ghana in a raid of about six (6) illegal mining sites allegedly belonging to AKONTA MINING (which is believed to belong to the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NPP popularly known as Chairman Wontumi) in Samreboi, Western North Region.”
Elikem Kotoko
The enforcement operation yielded significant results, with authorities apprehending a total of 26 individuals suspected of engaging in illegal mining. Among those arrested were six Chinese nationals, two Koreans, and eighteen Ghanaians.
In addition to the arrests, the task force confiscated a considerable amount of heavy machinery believed to be used in the galamsey activities.
In total, eight excavators were seized from various sites. However, five additional machines had to be left behind due to difficulties in moving them from their remote and rugged locations.
The scale of the operation highlights the level of sophistication involved in these illegal ventures and underscores the urgency with which the state is now moving to dismantle them.
Further detailing the seizure, Kotoko revealed the confiscation of two Toyota Hilux pick-ups, a Toyota RAV4, four motorbikes, and a variety of mining equipment. “The exercise, which we staged from 5 am, lasted some 12 hours and yielded such a positive result.”
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Furthermore, Elikem Kotoko lauded the leadership behind the operation, giving special mention to the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Their collaborative approach appears to be re-energizing the national campaign against illegal mining, which continues to ravage Ghana’s forests and water bodies.
For Kotoko, this isn’t just a law enforcement success—it’s a matter of national duty. He passionately emphasized the moral imperative to protect Ghana’s fragile ecosystems and preserve natural resources for future generations.
“We MUST protect our water bodies, forest reserves, and preserve the earth. The exercise, which is an ongoing battle to combat illegal miners, has no end in sight, as we intend not to give up at all.”
Elikem Kotoko
According to Kotoko, all 26 suspects arrested in the galamsey crackdown were immediately transferred to Accra for further legal processes.
Their fate now rests in the hands of Ghana’s justice system, though environmental advocates and anti-corruption campaigners will be watching closely to ensure due process is followed and accountability is enforced.
This latest raid forms part of a nationwide intelligence-led offensive spearheaded by the Police Intelligence Directorate.
It was executed in collaboration with key units including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the National Operations Directorate (NOD), and the Formed Police Unit (FPU).
The involvement of multiple law enforcement branches signals a new level of seriousness in Ghana’s approach to illegal mining.
It reflects growing recognition that galamsey is not just an environmental issue—it’s also an economic and governance challenge, deeply embedded within political and business networks.
But questions remain. While the arrests and seizures are commendable, how long can this momentum be sustained? Will political interference, as seen in past galamsey efforts, once again blunt the impact of these raids? And most importantly, will those arrested face real consequences, or will they, like others before them, quietly walk free?
For now, the success of the Samreboi operation brings hope. It signals a renewed focus and energy in the fight against illegal mining.
Whether it becomes a turning point or another fleeting moment in Ghana’s decades-long galamsey crackdown depends on what happens next, both in the courts and in the corridors of power.
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