A viral social media clip showing active illegal mining beside Sanso Methodist School in Obuasi has prompted a major security crackdown.
Fifteen suspects, including an alleged kingpin, have been arrested, and three excavators impounded.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, ordered the operation after viewing the footage.
A joint force of National Security, NAIMOS, and military personnel swiftly moved in on the site, where miners had reportedly been active for two weeks undetected, taking advantage of the school’s vacation period.
The detained individuals are now in custody at the CID Headquarters in Accra.
Meanwhile, reclamation of the damaged land is scheduled to begin on August 3, following a direct directive from the Regional Minister to eliminate safety hazards before the school term resumes, confirmed Regional Security Coordinator Captain (Rtd) John Jabari.
