Kumasi: The Ghana Police Service has arrested 16 suspects during an anti-illegal mining operation at Essuminya and Apraprama Forest Reserves in the Ashanti Region. The suspects are Kwesi Frimpong, 52, Samuel Okyere, 44, Jackson Nana Boafo, 32, Saddick Abubakar, 44, Collins Asare, 35, Joshua Ofori, 25, Emmanuel Akwesi, 42, Augustine Mensah, 38, and Stephen Amoako, 25. The rest are Vincent Ofori, 30, Andrews Oppong, 31, Nyaba Atonkoni, 31, Stephen Kwabena Owusu, 41, George Badji, 28, Dorgumu Fredrick, 24, and Cheke Chen, 35, a foreign national.
According to Ghana News Agency, the joint operation, conducted on June 19, involved personnel from the National Police Headquarters and the Manso Adubia District. The operation aimed to clamp down on illegal mining activities within the forest reserves.
The press release stated, "During the operation, sixteen suspects were arrested while actively engaging in illegal mining activities." Exhibits retrieved included two pump-action guns, pumping machines, four excavator machine monitors, and eight live BB cartridges. Efforts were underway to move the excavators from the forest to the police station.
The suspects are all in police custody assisting investigations and will be put before the court.
