The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has initiated a significant reshuffle of police commanders in areas prone to illegal mining, reinforcing the Ghana Police Service’s commitment to intensifying the fight against such activities.
This reshuffle primarily affects Divisional and District Commanders in the Eastern South, Western, and Western North Police Regions. It marks the first phase of a broader national strategy aimed at injecting new energy and accountability into operations against illegal mining.
47 Arrested in Intelligence-Led Operation
In a related development, the Ghana Police Service has announced a successful intelligence-led operation targeting illegal miners in the Samreboi enclave of the Western Region. The four-day operation, which began on April 17, 2025, resulted in the arrest of 47 individuals suspected of engaging in illegal mining along the Tano River and within the Aboi, Subri, and Nimiri forests.
Among those arrested were:
- 39 Ghanaians
- 8 Chinese nationals
- 4 women
Items Recovered During the Operation
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The operation yielded a variety of items, including:
- Excavators
- Water pumping machines
- Fuel drums
- Gold washing carpets
- Mobile phones
- Motorbikes
- Cash in various currencies
In total, the following items were confiscated:
- 17 excavators
- 1 bulldozer
- 4 motorbikes
- 2 Toyota Hilux vehicles
- 1 Toyota RAV4 vehicle
- 4 pump-action guns
- 1 single-barrel gun
- 54 live BB cartridges
- 8 pumping machines
All suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting with ongoing investigations. Authorities have stated that this operation is part of a broader strategy that combines law enforcement with intelligence gathering to disrupt illegal mining networks across the country.
The Police Service has indicated that further reshuffles and operations are planned as part of a comprehensive strategy to dismantle illegal mining networks and protect Ghana’s natural resources.