In a renewed and determined effort to clamp down on illegal mining operations, the Ghana Police Service has arrested sixteen Chinese nationals and one Ghanaian in connection with unauthorized mining activities at Akyem Aminase in the New Abirem District of the Eastern Region.
The arrest, which forms part of the police’s broader strategy to tackle illegal mining—popularly known as galamsey—was announced by the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, during a media briefing.
According to DCOP Donkor, the CID headquarters received a formal petition on June 19, 2025, from a concerned individual, Mr. George Narh, who reported the presence of illegal miners operating on his concession.
Acting swiftly on the petition, DCOP Donkoh indicated that a combined team of officers from the CID headquarters and the National SWAT unit mobilized and proceeded to the mining site to carry out an intelligence-led operation.
According to her, during the operation, the team arrested a Ghanaian national, identified as 42-year-old Abdul Mumin Adams, alongside 15 Chinese nationals.
The foreign nationals were named as Wang Fu Qing, 32; Yibihua, 44; Zheng Zhu Yi, 64; Yi Yuming, 55; Lu Zhengbo, 59; Tian Youbing, 46; Fan Shuhui, 47; Du Cheng Guan, 54; Yuan Jandong, 33; Wu Kehu, 57; Zhu Lingcheng, 49; Cheng Yi, 38; Xi Gaohui, 43; Tan Taojong, 53; and Lin Lejion, 60.
She pointed out that the suspects were caught in the act, engaging in illegal mining operations within the area without the requisite legal documentation or permits.
“Suspect Abdul Momin Adams, in his caution statement to police, admitted he was the one who masterminded the coming of the Chinese nationals to the site to do the mining”.
DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID)
DCOP Donkoh also indicated that further interrogation of the Chinese nationals confirmed that they had all entered Ghana on tourist visas.
According to her, none of them possessed permits that would legally authorize them to engage in any form of employment, let alone mining—an industry strictly regulated under Ghanaian law.
She disclosed that their actions not only breached immigration laws but also environmental and mining regulations, which have become increasingly stringent in the wake of Ghana’s ongoing battle against illegal mining.
Court Arraignment
The Director-General of the police CID also indicated that the suspects were arraigned before the Koforidua Circuit Court in the Eastern Region on June 25, 2025, and were remanded into lawful custody to reappear in court in July.
On behalf of the Ghana Police Service, DCOP Donkoh assured the public that efforts are underway to apprehend additional suspects believed to be connected to the illicit operation and to aid the ongoing investigations.
DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, in her concluding remarks at the press briefing, reaffirmed the police administration’s unflinching commitment to dismantling organized criminal networks involved in illegal mining and related activities.
She emphasized that such operations threaten national security, deplete natural resources, and pose severe environmental and public health risks.
She also appealed to the general public to remain vigilant and proactive in assisting the police to maintain law and order. “Once again, we urge members of the public to continue cooperating with the police and to promptly report any suspicious activities for immediate action,” she stated.
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