Fifteen suspected illegal miners, including an alleged kingpin, have been arrested and three excavators seized during a joint security operation at an illegal mining site located near the Sanso Methodist School in Obuasi in the Ashanti Region. The operation was prompted by a viral video on social media showing illegal mining activities taking place close to the school.
Illegal Mining Activities Exposed on Social Media
A viral video on social media sparked a joint security operation at an illegal mining site near the Sanso Methodist School in Obuasi. The footage prompted the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, to direct security agencies to verify the claims and take immediate action.
Operation Leads to Arrests and Seizures
A joint team comprising National Security operatives, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) and military personnel was deployed to the area. Preliminary investigations indicate that the illegal miners had been operating at the site for about two weeks without detection, largely because the nearby school was on vacation. The suspects have since been transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters of the Ghana Police Service in Accra to assist with ongoing investigations.
Reclamation Works to Begin
Speaking on TV3, the Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator, Captain (Rtd) John Jabari, said the operation led to the arrest of 15 suspects, including the alleged leader of the group, and the seizure of three excavators. He added that the Regional Minister has directed the Regional Reclamation Team to restore the degraded land before pupils return to school, with reclamation works expected to begin on August 3 to eliminate potential safety risks around the school.
Community Concerns and Safety Precautions
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of pupils at the Sanso Methodist School. The school's location near the illegal mining site poses a significant risk to the children's health and well-being. The community is expecting the Regional Reclamation Team to take swift action to restore the degraded land and prevent any further environmental hazards.
Ongoing Investigations and Future Plans
The suspects are currently undergoing investigations at the CID Headquarters in Accra. The outcome of the investigations will determine the next course of action. The Regional Minister has assured the public that the necessary measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The reclamation works are expected to begin on August 3, and the community is hoping that the degraded land will be restored to its original state before the pupils return to school. The incident has highlighted the need for stricter regulations and enforcement of mining laws in the country. The authorities are expected to take necessary measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Source: Joy Online
