A joint anti-galamsey operation has resulted in the arrest of 15 suspected illegal miners who were allegedly operating close to the Sanso Methodist Primary and Junior High School in the Obuasi Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The security operation, carried out on Saturday, August 1, 2026, followed a whistleblower report that alerted authorities to ongoing illegal mining (galamsey) activities near the educational facility.
The coordinated exercise involved personnel from the National Intelligence and Operations Management System (NIAMOS), National Security, the Ghana Armed Forces Four Battalion Team, and the Obuasi Divisional Police Command, reflecting the government’s intensified crackdown on illegal mining across Ghana.
According to officials, the suspected miners were operating dangerously close to the school, raising serious concerns about environmental pollution, public safety, and health risks for students, teachers, and nearby residents.
During the operation, security personnel arrested 15 suspects believed to be involved in the unlawful mining activities. Authorities also seized three excavators allegedly used for the operation, while additional mining equipment discovered at the site was destroyed to prevent further illegal mining.
Officials disclosed that the successful raid was made possible through credible intelligence provided by a whistleblower, emphasizing the critical role of community members in supporting the nationwide fight against galamsey.
Security agencies reaffirmed their commitment to eliminating illegal mining, particularly in areas surrounding schools, water bodies, residential communities, and other critical public infrastructure. They stressed that protecting the environment and ensuring public safety remain top government priorities.
The suspects are expected to assist investigators as authorities continue their inquiries. They will be processed in accordance with Ghanaian law.
The latest anti-illegal mining exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to protect lives, preserve the environment, safeguard educational institutions, and reduce the harmful impact of illegal mining in Ghana. Authorities have also encouraged the public to continue reporting suspected galamsey activities to support law enforcement agencies in their nationwide campaign.
Source: newsthemegh.com