Seven Arrested for Illegal Mining in Upper West Region

The Upper West Regional Police Command has arrested seven individuals for engaging in illegal mining activities along the Black Volta River at Chiantanga, a community near Dorimon in the Wa West District.

The arrests were made on Thursday, April 10, 2025, during a targeted operation aimed at clamping down on illegal mining, commonly known as "galamsey," which continues to threaten water bodies and farmlands in the region.

The suspects have been identified as Sabugu Razak, Ibrahim Zuberu, Alex Amedzake, John Cobblah, Promise Dufe, Angelina Akpese, and Rebecca Tumawu. They are currently in police custody assisting with investigations and are expected to be arraigned before court in the coming days.

In addition to the arrests, security personnel retrieved a number of items from the illegal mining site, including ten (10) Changfang machines, two (2) unregistered PNE and Apsonic tricycles, motorbikes with registration numbers M-AD NR 6010 and M-23-UW 4413, two (2) unregistered Hague and Apsonic motorbikes, and six (6) student mattresses.

The Upper West Regional Police Commander, DCOP Nii Darko Offei Lomotey, reaffirmed the Command’s dedication to combating illegal mining in all its forms. He emphasized the importance of preserving the environment and protecting vital water sources such as the Black Volta River.

“The police will not relent in our efforts to rid the region of illegal mining activities that endanger the lives and livelihoods of our people,” DCOP Lomotey stated.

The operation is part of ongoing efforts by security agencies to enforce environmental regulations and uphold the rule of law in the Upper West Region. Authorities are urging the public to report suspicious activities related to illegal mining to help in the fight against environmental degradation.