By The Ghana Police Service has escalated its fight against illegal mining, arresting ten more individuals suspected of engaging in galamsey activities in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve and along the Tano River in the Western Region. This latest operation, conducted on April 18, 2025, marks another significant step in the government’s ongoing efforts to curb the environmental devastation caused by illegal gold mining, a practice locally known as galamsey.
The intelligence-led raid resulted in the seizure of 11 excavators and a bulldozer, which were being used to plunder the forest reserve’s resources. According to authorities, the machinery was transported across the Tano River and placed in secure police custody to prevent further misuse.
This operation comes on the heels of a similar raid just a day earlier on April 17, where 26 suspects—18 Ghanaians and eight Chinese nationals—were apprehended in the nearby Subri Forest and along the same river. The back-to-back operations underscore the urgency of tackling galamsey, which has long threatened Ghana’s ecosystems, water bodies, and biodiversity.
The Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, a protected area in the Western Region, has become a hotspot for illegal mining activities, with devastating consequences for the environment. Galamsey, derived from the phrase “gather them and sell,” refers to small-scale, often unregulated gold mining that has plagued Ghana for decades. While it provides livelihoods for many in rural communities, its environmental toll is staggering.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ghana reports that about 60% of water bodies in mining regions are polluted due to the use of toxic chemicals like mercury, which is commonly employed to extract gold from ore. The Tano River, a vital water source for local communities, has not been spared, with its banks now scarred by the destructive practices of galamsey operators.
The government’s crackdown on galamsey gained further momentum with the recent revocation of Akonta Mining Company Ltd.’s lease, a company allegedly linked to Bernard Antwi Boasiako, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
On April 21, 2025, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources directed the Minerals Commission to terminate the company’s operations after investigations revealed it had been conducting unauthorized mining within the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve, operating six illegal sites and causing extensive environmental damage.
The earlier April 17 raid also saw the arrest of 51 individuals, including eight Chinese nationals, highlighting the international dimensions of the galamsey crisis.
Environmentalists and local communities have long raised alarms about the impacts of galamsey, which extend beyond ecological degradation. The Forestry Commission of Ghana estimates that illegal mining has destroyed over 10,000 hectares of forest land in key biodiversity hotspots, threatening wildlife habitats and undermining the country’s efforts to combat climate change.
Socially, galamsey has perpetuated cycles of poverty in mining communities, where short-term financial gains are overshadowed by long-term health risks and the loss of agricultural land due to soil degradation. A 2023 JoyNews National Dialogue on illegal mining revealed the dire health consequences, with experts warning that vegetables grown in galamsey-affected areas are unsafe for consumption due to contamination.
The Ghana Police Service’s recent operations signal a renewed commitment to enforcing the country’s mining laws, but challenges remain. Critics argue that systemic issues, such as corruption and the economic dependency of communities on galamsey, must be addressed to achieve lasting change.
A 2022 study published on ResearchGate emphasized the need to regularize artisanal mining, noting that while Ghana is Africa’s second-largest gold producer—contributing 5.7% to the nation’s GDP—the unregulated nature of galamsey undermines sustainable development.
As the government intensifies its crackdown, there is hope that these efforts will pave the way for stronger environmental protections and alternative livelihoods for those affected by the galamsey trade. For now, the arrests in the Tano Nimiri Forest Reserve serve as a reminder of the high stakes in Ghana’s fight to preserve its natural heritage for future generations.
