One Chinese and four Ghanaians were on Wednesday, 23 May, arrested by Operation Vanguard Joint Task Force for engaging in illegal mining (galamsay) at Manson Datano and Tontonkrom both in the Amansie West District of the Ashanti Region.

The special patrol which was led by the Operation Vanguard Joint Task Force Commander, Col Michael Amoah Ayisi was to intensify the operation to halt the illegal mining menace in the country.

The PRO for the Team, Squadron Leader Robison Omane Agyei said the arrested persons were Li Chin Yun, 44-year-old Chinese National, Kwaku Opoku, 35 years, Dodzi Agudza, 25 years, Michael Adjeoda, 24 years and Alhaji Baba Musah, 49 years all Ghanaians.

The Task Force immobilised one excavator and destroyed 17 Chang fangs at the various illegal mining sites and also seized one Toyota Tacoma pick-up with registration number GR 3030 11, seven water pumping machines, a generator set and two excavator batteries.



Immobilised items included; one excavator control board, one excavator monitor, shovels and other mining equipment.
All the seized items and the suspects were sent to Datano Police station for further investigations and possible prosecution.

FOB West also conducted operations in Bonbondeni around Asankragua in the Amenfi West District in the Western Region and immobilised some excavators and seized mining equipment.



FOB East and Central also conducted operations in their Areas of Responsibility and seized some excavators and mining equipment.
Operation Vanguard is sending a warning to illegal miners to desist from their activities to enable government streamline the mining sector.

“We call on the general public to keep the information on the whereabouts of illegal miners coming to us and we can assure the public that we will definitely go after them. Let us all help stop Galamsey now and in the future.”