Samreboi, Western Region – April 2025
The Ghana Police Service has announced the arrest of 47 individuals, including 39 Ghanaians and 8 Chinese nationals, for their alleged involvement in illegal mining activities within the Samreboi enclave of the Western Region.
The suspects were reportedly operating along the Tano River and within the protected Aboi, Subri, and Nimiri forest reserves, areas that have recently come under environmental threat due to intensified illegal mining—commonly referred to as galamsey.
In a coordinated security operation led by the Western Regional Police Command, authorities retrieved a significant cache of equipment and weapons used in the illegal operations. The exhibits seized include:
- Seventeen (17) excavators
- One (1) bulldozer
- Four (4) motorbikes
- Two (2) Toyota Hilux vehicles
- One (1) Toyota Rav4 vehicle
- Four (4) pump action guns
- One (1) single-barrel gun
- Fifty-four (54) live BB cartridges
- Eight (8) pumping machines
The arrests come amid growing national concern over the environmental degradation and water pollution caused by illegal mining operations, particularly those affecting vital rivers such as the Tano. These rivers serve as important sources of drinking water and support surrounding communities’ agriculture and livelihoods.
Authorities have assured the public that further investigations are ongoing, and all suspects will be processed according to the law. The Police also reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with the Forestry Commission, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other stakeholders to combat illegal mining and protect Ghana’s natural resources.
