21 Burkinabes Nabbed for Illegal Mining at Esaase Bontefufuo
Security operatives in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region have arrested twenty-one foreign nationals, all identified as Burkinabes, for engaging in illegal mining activities on river bodies at Esaase Bontefufuo.
The arrests were carried out in a dawn operation led by the District Police Command and the Formed Police Unit (FPU) under the supervision of ASP Solomon Adusei Berko. The intelligence-led exercise was part of a broader effort by the Amansie West District Security Council (DISEC) to clamp down on illegal mining in the area.
According to ASP Berko, the suspects were rounded up following credible information about their involvement in galamsey operations that were causing severe destruction to water bodies and farmlands in the district.
“Our team acted swiftly upon receiving the intelligence and arrested twenty-one Burkinabes who were actively engaged in mining on the rivers. Several pieces of equipment used in their activities were seized during the raid,” he disclosed.
He lamented the level of damage caused by the miners, noting that their operations had polluted water sources relied upon by residents for domestic use, while also destroying farmlands and forest cover.
ASP Berko assured that the police will continue to conduct regular operations in collaboration with other security agencies to rid the district of illegal miners.
The District Chief Executive for Amansie West, Hon. Prince Manu Morris, who also chairs DISEC, praised the security personnel for their swift intervention and reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to ending illegal mining in the district.
“Galamsey is a menace that threatens our environment and livelihoods. The Assembly, together with the security agencies, will not hesitate to take firm action against anyone, whether Ghanaian or foreigner, who engages in such acts,” Hon. Morris emphasized.
He urged residents to cooperate with authorities by volunteering timely information on suspicious activities in their communities to support the ongoing anti-galamsey operations.
