Accra: The government’s intensified crackdown on illegal mining, known as ‘Galamsey,’ has led to the arrest of 49 suspects nationwide, the Ghana Police Service has said.

According to Ghana News Agency, the police conducted operations at several locations, including Huniso, Wassa-Dadieso, and Wassa-Gyapa in the Western Region; Akrokerri in the Ashanti Region; Dunkwa-On-Offin and Diaso in the Central Region; and the Awin River at Pankese and Akyem Akwadum in the Eastern Region.

A statement made available to the Ghana News Agency stated that the police stepped up efforts through intelligence-led operations, targeting illegal mining activities. ‘These coordinated operations resulted in the retrieval of exhibits including various mining equipment,’ it said.

In the Western Region, the Western Central Regional Police Command arrested 19 suspects, immobilised over 135 changfan machines, and seized 23 water pumping machines, four excavator batteries, and a motorbike.

The Ashanti South Regional Police Command apprehended nine suspects at Akrokerri. The Eastern South Regional Police Command also arrested 11 suspects along the Awin River and at Akyem Akwadum, confiscating an excavator monitor, two excavator pedals, seven excavator control boards, and a gold-detecting device.

In the Central Region, the Central North Regional Police Command arrested 10 suspects at Dunkwa-On-Offin and Diaso, recovering four excavators, eight pumping machines, and a cylinder machine. The statement confirmed that all suspects are in police custody, assisting with ongoing investigations.