The Akyem-Kwabeng District Police Command has arrested one person in connection with illegal mining activities at the Kwabeng Anglican Senior High Technical School in the Atiwa West District.

The suspect, identified as Tweneboah, popularly known as “Gogome”, was arrested on December 15 at about 5:30 a.m. during an operation sanctioned by the Atiwa West District Chief Executive (DCE), Hon. Amo Johnson Anom.

The arrest follows reports of illegal mining activities around the school premises. New Patriotic Party Communication Team member, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, had earlier drawn attention to the illegal operations in a post on his Facebook page.

Prior to the arrest, the District Security Taskforce, about a fortnight ago, attempted to arrest some individuals who were mining beyond the school’s fence wall during a monitoring exercise. The suspects, however, fled upon seeing the taskforce.

The team managed to seize mining equipment, including two excavators, left behind at the site.

Following the arrest, the DCE said he had directed Xtra Gold Mining Company to reclaim the devastated land. He told journalists that the district would not countenance any illegal activity that threatens the livelihoods of the people of Atiwa West.

He further disclosed that the police are investigating the matter and will arraign the suspect before a court of competent jurisdiction.