26 illegal miners arrested in Mpohor-Fiase crackdown as district steps up anti-galamsey operations

The Mpohor-Fiase District Assembly has intensified its fight against illegal mining with the arrest of 26 suspected miners during a major coordinated security operation targeting about 10 suspected mining sites across the district.

The intelligence-led operation, which took place recently, involved a joint taskforce comprising personnel from the Ghana Armed Forces, Ghana Police Service, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and River Guards. Despite several suspects fleeing when security teams arrived at the various locations, law enforcement managed to apprehend 26 individuals and seize critical equipment used in illegal mining activities.

Arrested suspects have been transferred to Sekondi Central Police Station for investigation and legal proceedings. The operation resulted in the seizure of 14 pumping machines, eight motorbikes and two gallons of fuel believed to be integral to the illegal mining operations.

Strengthening local enforcement capacity

District Chief Executive Sophia Aubyn, who led the operation, announced that the District Security Committee (DISEC) has agreed to strengthen the local anti-illegal mining taskforce by increasing personnel numbers assigned to enforcement activities. This district-level initiative is designed to complement the work of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), which struggles to maintain sustained operations across every district nationwide due to its broad mandate.

The DCE explained that the enhanced local taskforce would rely on intelligence-led and coordinated operations to systematically disrupt illegal mining and protect the district's natural resources. District Coordinating Director Alhassan Sullemana assured the taskforce of the Assembly's commitment to providing the logistical support necessary for effective ongoing operations against illegal miners.

Why this matters for Ghana

Illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey in Ghana, remains one of the most pressing environmental and social challenges facing the country. The practice has devastated water bodies, destroyed farmland, and contaminated groundwater in affected communities, particularly in mineral-rich regions like the Western Region where Mpohor-Fiase is located. Beyond environmental damage, illegal mining fuels crime, undermines legitimate mining operations, and deprives the state of critical tax revenue.

The Mpohor-Fiase operation reflects a growing recognition at the local government level that district assemblies must take a more active role in enforcement, given the limitations of national agencies. By combining resources from multiple security agencies and focusing on intelligence-driven operations, local authorities can apply sustained pressure on illegal miners. This decentralised approach complements government policy but also highlights the resource constraints facing NAIMOS.

The Assembly's commitment to providing logistical support suggests a shift towards treating anti-illegal mining as a priority local development issue, not merely a national security matter. Success in Mpohor-Fiase could serve as a model for other districts struggling with illegal mining, demonstrating how coordinated local action can make a tangible difference in protecting Ghana's environment and natural resources.