A joint enforcement operation in the Eastern Region has led to the arrest of eleven individuals for illegal mining, known locally as “galamsey.”
The dawn operation on Sunday, 14th December 2025, was conducted in Compartment 70 of the Pra Anum Forest Reserve at Banka, within the Oda Forest District. A team of twenty-eight officers, comprising personnel from three Forestry Commission Rapid Response Teams and the Oda Forest District Office, carried out the sweep.
The suspects comprise eight Ghanaians and three Chinese nationals. Authorities also seized significant equipment, including eight excavators, two pick-up vehicles, and one automatic pump-action gun.
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
Ghanaians: Mohammed Mustapha (25); Aminu Moro (48); Owusu Emmanuel (28); Raymond Opoku Agyemang (32); Teye Joseph (32); Oduro Emmanuel (29); Aaron Oppong Gyebi (36); and Isaac Apana (32).
Chinese: Jun Hunay (42); Wen Yong Feng (49); and Lu Zheng Zhan (37).
All eleven suspects are currently in the custody of the Asante Akim Juaso District Police Command for investigation and prosecution. The seized vehicles have been transported to the Oda Forest District Office for safekeeping.
