Ghana Police have raided a forest reserve near Samreboi in the Western Region, leading to the arrest of 26 individuals involved in the unlawful extraction of gold. Apexnewsgh reports
The operation, which revealed deep-rooted issues related to environmental degradation, saw six Chinese nationals, two Koreans, and eighteen Ghanaians apprehended as they worked within a protected area.
The meticulously coordinated raid was executed by elite units of the Ghana Police, including the Intelligence Directorate, the Criminal Investigations Department, the National Operations Directorate, and the Formed Police Unit. The intelligence-driven operation emerged from the urgent need to combat illegal mining activities that have ravaged Ghana’s forests and polluted its waterways.
What has sent shockwaves through the political landscape is the connection drawn between this illegal mining site and Akonta Mining Company, owned by Bernard Antwi Boasiako—better known as Chairman Wontumi, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
While this isn’t the first time Wontumi has been linked to controversies surrounding gold mining, the scale and organization of this bust have cast new light on the magnitude of the problem and the political entanglements involved.
Upon arrival, law enforcement officials uncovered a staggering amount of mining and security equipment, including eight excavators (with five left behind due to logistical complications), two Toyota Hilux pickups, a Toyota RAV4, four motorbikes, and a myriad of tools and firearms. The cache underscored the extent of illegal operations that have left the forest scarred—trees flattened, land gouged, and water bodies poisoned, impacting local communities that depend on these resources.
Inspector General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, hailed the professionalism of the police in carrying out the operation and reiterated their commitment to fighting illegal mining. “This operation marks a significant step in our battle against environmental terrorism. We are determined to protect our nation’s natural resources for future generations,” he asserted.
Currently, the suspects remain in custody, poised to face legal proceedings in the upcoming days. The political ramifications of this incident are already igniting public debate, especially as Ghana approaches an election season where issues of galamsey, corruption, and environmental governance are set to dominate the discourse.
Environmental advocates are urging for an independent inquiry into the political protection that clandestine mining operations seem to enjoy, while opposition parties are calling for greater transparency and accountability from those in positions of power. The unfolding events not only expose a glaring environmental crisis but also highlight the complex interplay of politics and illegal mining in Ghana.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
