Correspondence from the Eastern Region
An anti-galamsey task force, made up of the Kotoku Environmental Task Force, has arrested 20 suspected illegal miners at New Abirem in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region.
The special operation, carried out on Saturday, October 12, 2024, resulted in the arrest of 18 Ghanaians and two Chinese nationals who were engaged in illegal mining. The miners were apprehended at sites near the Abirem Roman Missionary House.
During the operation, the task force retrieved two excavators, mining equipment, and two pumping machines.
A source within the Kotoku community informed GhanaWeb that the illegal mining concession belonged to a local authority. Members of the task force accused the District Chief Executive (DCE), Raymond Nana Damptey, and Nana Aduasenehene of being actively involved in the illegal mining activities taking place on Kotoku Abirem land.
The source explained that the arrests and confrontation stemmed from intelligence they had received regarding the movement of mining equipment in the area.
"That night, we [task force] had intel that some machines—trucks and two excavators—were entering from Abepotia road to Dabrem road. We followed up and intercepted the trucks near the palace. After questioning, we realized they were bringing the machines to mine in the area, so we told them we wouldn't allow it unless they returned the machines to their source," the source recounted.
The situation escalated when the DCE, accompanied by police personnel, arrived at the scene and engaged in a heated confrontation with the task force members.
According to the source, the DCE argued that the task force had no legal right to stop the machines, stating, "As DISEC chairman, I have the authority, and the task force has no legal right to stop any machine."
The impasse was eventually resolved after the Abiremhene, who is also the Gyasehene of Akyem Kotoku, intervened. He assured the task force that the equipment would not be used for illegal mining.
However, on Sunday, October 13, the task force received further intel that the equipment was being used for illegal mining behind the Roman Church’s missionary house. Acting on this information, the task force mobilized and apprehended the suspects.
The arrested individuals were taken to the palace of the Abiremhene, who handed them over to the Abirem police for detention.
Meanwhile, the DCE has denied the accusations of involvement in illegal mining and questioned the legitimacy of the task force.
"It’s not true. They claim they have a task force, but no one knows if it's officially recognized. As the DISEC chairman, we didn’t know there was a task force here," the DCE said.
He added that he had responded to a call about armed men on the highway, saying, "I received a call about seven men carrying firearms on the highway. So I called the patrol team and went over there. They were all armed with pump-action guns."
The DCE also alleged that members of the task force threatened him during the confrontation, stating, "They cocked their guns and told me not to joke with them."
The suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue.
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