15 illegal miners handed to CID after raid near Obuasi school
Ghanaian authorities have arrested 15 illegal miners following a viral video showing mining activities near a school in Obuasi. The government has initiated a reclamation project to restore the land and ensure student safety before the school term resumes.
Why it matters
Illegal mining, or 'galamsey', is a major environmental and public safety crisis in Ghana that frequently pits local communities against unregulated industrial activity.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters of the Ghana Police Service has taken over investigations into the arrest of 15 suspected illegal miners, including an alleged kingpin, following a joint security operation at an illegal mining site near the Sanso Methodist School in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region.
The suspects were handed over to the CID after security agencies raided the site and seized three excavators during an operation triggered by a viral social media video showing illegal mining activities close to the school.
Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator Captain (Rtd) John Jabari said the operation was launched on the instructions of Ashanti Regional Minister Dr Frank Amoakohene after the video was verified.
Speaking to TV3, Jabari said a joint team made up of National Security operatives, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and military personnel was deployed to the site.
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