7 Illegal Miners Arrested at Abora in Fresh Clampdown on Galamsey

Abora, Central Region —
Seven individuals suspected of engaging in illegal mining operations, popularly known as galamsey, have been arrested at Abora, a community in the Central Region of Ghana, in the latest crackdown on illicit mining activities.

The operation, which was carried out by a combined team of local police and environmental task force officers, followed weeks of surveillance after complaints from residents about destruction of farmlands and contamination of nearby water bodies.

According to a police source, the suspects were caught in the act, using unapproved mining tools and operating without any legal permit.

“These individuals had no documentation, and their activities were causing serious environmental harm,” said the officer. “We are determined to end this lawlessness and protect our natural resources.”

Community Reaction and Environmental Concern

Residents of Abora welcomed the arrests, expressing frustration over the rising environmental degradation in the area. Several rivers and streams near the town have reportedly turned muddy and unusable, posing health risks to locals who rely on them for drinking and farming.

“We can’t drink from our rivers anymore, and our farms are being destroyed. We are glad something is finally being done,” a local farmer said.

The Bigger Picture: Galamsey in Ghana

Illegal mining has become one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental issues, especially in mineral-rich areas. While the Central Region is not as notorious as Ashanti or Western regions for galamsey, recent reports show a growing trend of illegal mining spreading to new locations.

Government agencies, including the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, have pledged to ramp up enforcement and community education to curb the menace.

Next Steps

The arrested suspects are currently in custody and are expected to be arraigned before court in the coming days. Authorities say investigations are ongoing to identify the source of their equipment, potential financiers, and whether there is any complicity by local officials.

“This is not just about arresting miners. We must also dismantle the networks that support illegal mining,” said an official from the Regional Security Council.

As Ghana continues to battle the environmental and economic fallout from galamsey, the arrest of the seven illegal miners in Abora is seen as a small but significant victory in a much larger fight.