A coordinated anti-galamsey operation by the Mankranso District Police Command and the Ahafo Ano South West District Assembly has led to the seizure of five heavy-duty excavators and a cache of firearms in a decisive raid on illegal mining operations in the Ashanti Region.
The operation, carried out on Monday, June 2, 2025, targeted active galamsey sites in the Mpasaaso and Achiase communities.
It forms part of an escalating regional campaign to combat illegal mining, which has been linked to severe environmental degradation and increasing insecurity across Ghana’s forest zones.
In a statement issued by DSP Godwin Ahianyo, Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Ashanti Regional Police Command, the joint task force stormed multiple locations where illegal miners were reportedly engaged in unauthorized gold mining activities.
On arrival, the miners fled, abandoning both their machinery and weapons.
A thorough search of the deserted camps uncovered an alarming assortment of firearms and ammunition, including:
* One (1) CAL 9mm pistol loaded with 3 rounds of live ammunition
* Four (4) pump-action guns
* Twelve (12) live BB cartridges
* Five (5) live AA cartridges
* Five (5) heavy-duty excavators
The excavators have since been impounded and secured at the Ahafo Ano South West District Assembly premises.
The weapons and ammunition are now in the custody of the Mankranso District Police Command, which is continuing investigations to trace the fleeing suspects.
Authorities believe the presence of such an arsenal points to growing criminal networks providing armed protection for illegal mining operations.
This development underscores the increasing complexity of the galamsey threat, which not only undermines environmental sustainability but also poses serious risks to national security.
The Regional Police Command praised the efforts of officers and local authorities involved in the successful operation.
DSP Ahianyo also appealed to the public for cooperation, urging residents to provide credible information that could lead to further arrests and prosecutions.
This latest raid adds momentum to Ghana’s broader crackdown on illegal mining.
With mounting public pressure and ecological concerns, security agencies are intensifying surveillance and tactical interventions in known galamsey hotspots across the country.
As communities across the Ashanti Region grapple with polluted rivers, deforested lands, and unstable livelihoods, local leaders and environmental advocates are calling for sustained action to preserve Ghana’s natural resources and uphold the rule of law.
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