99 Excavators Seized, 208 Suspects Arrested in Ongoing Galamsey Crackdown

The Ghana Police Service has intensified its nationwide crackdown on illegal mining activities, commonly known as galamsey, with significant results recorded over the past two months.

Between March and April 2025, the Police conducted a series of coordinated special operations in areas heavily impacted by illegal mining. These included Samreboi along the Tano River, Wassa Dunkwa, Tigarikrom, and several neighboring communities within the Western Region.

As part of these efforts, 58 individuals—comprising 50 Ghanaians and eight Chinese nationals—were arrested in connection with illegal mining activities. The operations also led to the recovery of 85 excavators and three bulldozers.

Regional Police Commands across the country have also carried out similar enforcement actions:

• Western Region: 19 suspects arrested; three excavators and three pump-action guns recovered.
  
• Upper West Region: Seven Ghanaian suspects apprehended; 11 changfangs and three motorbikes confiscated.
  
• Eastern South Region: 24 suspects, including one Burkinabe, arrested; five excavators, three single-barrel guns, and one pump-action gun seized.
  
• Western Central Region: 85 suspects, including nine Chinese nationals, arrested; 11 excavators and other mining equipment retrieved.
  
• Eastern North Region: 15 suspects, including one Chinese national, arrested; four excavator control boards, nine monitors, one pistol, and other equipment confiscated.
  

In total, 208 suspects have been arrested nationwide. The operations have also resulted in the seizure of 99 excavators, three bulldozers, four pump-action guns, three single-barrel guns, one pistol, 11 changfangs, and various other items including vehicles, motorbikes, tricycles, generators, gold detectors, and water pumping machines.

All arrested individuals are currently being processed in accordance with the law.

The Ghana Police Service reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to ending illegal mining and protecting the country’s natural resources. The Service urged the public to support its efforts to restore environmental integrity and uphold the rule of law.