The Ghana Police Service has arrested sixteen suspects during a joint anti-illegal mining (galamsey) operation in the Essuminya and Apraprama Forest Reserves in the Ashanti Region.
The operation, which took place on Wednesday, June 19, 2025, was led by officers from the National Police Headquarters and the Manso Adubia District. It forms part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities threatening the country’s natural resources and ecosystems.
According to a police statement, the suspects were arrested while actively engaging in illegal mining within the protected forest reserves. Among those apprehended is a foreign national, identified as Cheke Chen, aged 35.
 
 
 
The full list of suspects includes: Kwesi Frimpong (52), Samuel Okyere (44), Jackson Nana Boafo (32), Saddick Abubakar (44), Collins Asare (35), Joshua Ofori (25), Emmanuel Akwesi (42), Augustine Mensah (38), Stephen Amoako (25), Vincent Ofori (30), Andrews Oppong (31), Nyaba Atonkoni (31), Stephen Kwabena Owusu (41), George Badji (28), Dorgumu Fredrick (24), and Cheke Chen (35).
During the raid, the police retrieved key exhibits from the mining sites, including two pump-action guns, eight live BB cartridges, pumping machines, and four excavator monitors. Authorities have begun efforts to move the excavators found at the scene to a secure location for further investigation.
All 16 suspects are currently in police custody and assisting with investigations. They are expected to be arraigned before court in the coming days.
The Ghana Police Service has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national efforts to combat illegal mining and urged the public to report any related activities to law enforcement agencies.