In a decisive operation conducted by the Ghana Police, twenty-six individuals have been arrested in connection with illegal mining activities in a forest reserve near Samreboi in the Western Region.

The intelligence-driven raid is part of a renewed nationwide crackdown on galamsey—an illegal mining menace that continues to devastate Ghana’s environment and water bodies.

The operation was spearheaded by the Police Intelligence Directorate, in collaboration with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the National Operations Directorate (NOD), and the Formed Police Unit (FPU).

Acting on actionable intelligence, officers stormed the illegal site and apprehended the suspects, comprising eight Chinese nationals and eighteen Ghanaians, allegedly operating deep within the protected reserve.

According to police sources, the targeted concession is linked to Akonta Mining Company, owned by Bernard Antwi Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi. His name has repeatedly emerged in public discourse surrounding illegal mining in the country.

The impact on the forest was evident—vast stretches of land stripped of vegetation and water bodies left polluted by mining sludge. Once lush and green, the reserve now bears scars of extensive environmental degradation.

The police recovered an arsenal of tools and machinery used in the operation, including six pump-action guns with over 150 rounds of 3AA cartridges, six water pumping machines, three excavators, three payloaders, six machetes, two Toyota pickup trucks and one Toyota RAV4.

The suspects are currently in custody and are expected to be put before court in the coming days.

This operation highlights the renewed commitment of the Police administration, led by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno, in tackling illegal mining. It underscores a broader national effort to restore Ghana’s natural ecosystems and bring offenders to justice.