Wassa: IGP orders raid on illegal miners’ settlement

The Inspector General of police has ordered a raid of the illegal mining of gold in settlements at Wassa Gyapa in the Western region following persistent Joynews reports of the illegality.

The Wassa towns, Wassa Gyapa, Wassa Dadieso and Wassa Ntwentwena has since 2023 become the hub of illegal mining in homes and settlements.

Huge excavations have been seen on the main Ayamfuri-Diaso road in what has become a notorious illegal mining criminal zone.

Following a post by Erastus Asare Donkor on the illegalities at Wassa Gyapa, the IGP, Mr Tetteh YOHUNO has ordered a raid of the illegal mining sites in the town and along the main Ayamfuri road.

Vitus Napen of the Asankragua Divisional Police Headquarters, accompanied by C/Supt. William Jabialu, with supervisory support from ASPOL/OPS/WCR Mr. De-Ben Edem Selassie, along with eight (8) other Senior Police officers and ninety-two (92) personnel, embarked on an anti-galamsey operation within the Wassa-Gyapa enclaves.

The operation targeted illegal miners operating approximately 500 meters off the Kumasi-Tarkwa highway along the roadside.

The police proceeded to Wassa Gyapa, a known hub for illegal mining activities.

According to the police, thirteen (13) illegal miners were arrested which are Nana Ampadu, 58; Stephen Tetteh, 18; Yaw Dalame, 23; Samuel Amoah, 20; Kwame Oppong, 19; and Francis Oduom, 18.

The rest are Owusu Asare, 36; Atta Kwame, 18; Apiyanga Emmanuel, 28; Kojo Montanakito, 23; Maxwell Owusu, 19; Obofo Vincent, 22 and Soogal Fataw, 19.

The suspects are to appear before the Tarkwa Circuit Court Today [Tuesday, May 20, 2025].