The Eastern South Regional Police Command has made significant strides in combatting illegal mining activities with the arrest of 11 suspects involved in unlawful mining operations near Fische, close to Bunsu.
The suspects, a mix of Ghanaians and Burkinabes, were apprehended on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, following a complaint lodged by concerned parties about illegal mining taking place in the area.
The arrested individuals include nine Ghanaians and two Burkinabes, all of whom were allegedly engaged in illegal mining activities that are harmful to the environment and the community.
The police have identified the suspects as Kwaku Owusu, aged 42; Philip Tetteh, aged 52; Abdul Raham, aged 27; Philip Duvor, aged 40; Joseph Asare, aged 32; Charles Manu, aged 35; Joseph Araboga, aged 32; Daniel Bangah, aged 20; and Amoaho Isaac, aged 25, all of whom are Ghanaians.
The Burkinabe suspects are Jey Done, aged 40, and Adomah Bouba, aged 25.
Excavator and Evidence of Mining Operations
In addition to the arrests, the police seized one excavator, which has been impounded as evidence in the ongoing investigation.
All the 11 suspects are currently in police custody, where they are being processed and prepared to face justice.
Illegal mining has been a long-standing issue in Ghana, particularly in the Eastern Region, where activities often take place in ecologically sensitive areas.
These operations not only cause significant damage to the environment, including water contamination and deforestation but also contribute to social unrest and violence in mining communities.
-BY Daniel Bampoe
