The Ghana Police Service has intensified its nationwide crackdown on illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, with a total of 208 suspects arrested and 99 excavators retrieved since March 2025.
In an update shared on its official Facebook page today, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the Police said the ongoing anti-galamsey operations form part of efforts to protect Ghana’s natural resources from the devastating impact of illegal mining.
A major operation at Samreboi and surrounding communities including Wassa Dunkwa and Tigarikrom in the Western Region led to the arrest of 58 suspects — comprising 50 Ghanaians and 8 Chinese nationals. The Police also retrieved 85 excavators and three bulldozers during the operation.
Regional Police Commands have also undertaken similar operations across the country:
Western Region: 19 suspects arrested; three excavators and three pump-action guns retrieved. Upper West Region: Seven suspects arrested; 11 changfangs and three motorbikes retrieved. Eastern South Region: 24 suspects, including one Burkinabe, arrested; five excavators, three single-barrel guns, and one pump-action gun retrieved. Western Central Region: 85 suspects, including nine Chinese nationals, arrested; 11 excavators retrieved. Eastern North Region: 15 suspects, including one Chinese national, arrested; several machine parts and a pistol retrieved.
In total, law enforcement has seized 99 excavators, 3 bulldozers, 4 pump-action guns, 3 single-barrel guns, 1 pistol, 11 changfangs, and various other exhibits including vehicles, tricycles, generators, gold detectors, and pumping machines.
The Police stated that all suspects are being processed through the appropriate legal channels.
The Ghana Police Service reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national efforts to eliminate illegal mining and to safeguard the country’s natural environment for future generations.
Below are some of the pictures they shared:
