Ghana Police Arrest 38 Suspects, Including Minors, in Major Galamsey Raid in Eastern Region

The Eastern South Regional Police Command has intensified its fight against illegal mining, popularly known as "galamsey," with a high-stakes raid in the Birim North District. On Friday, February 27, 2026, security forces apprehended 38 suspects during a targeted operation near the community of Ntoranang. The operation uncovered a sophisticated mining setup concealed within a palm plantation, highlighting the lengths to which illegal operators go to evade detection. This latest crackdown comes amid renewed national efforts to protect Ghana’s land and water bodies from the devastating effects of unregulated mining.

Among the 38 individuals taken into custody, authorities identified a concerning demographic shift in the illegal mining workforce. Nearly half of the suspects are foreign nationals, suggesting an international dimension to the illicit activities in the region. Even more alarming was the discovery of teenagers and minors working at the site, raising serious questions about child labor and exploitation within the sector. The suspects are currently being held in police custody for further interrogation as investigators seek to identify the primary financiers and leaders behind the operation.

The raid also shed light on the heavy industrial scale of the Ntoranang operation. Police reported the use of high-powered machinery for gold washing, which has caused significant environmental degradation to the surrounding palm plantation and nearby ecosystems. During the sweep, law enforcement officers dismantled the mining infrastructure and destroyed a vast array of illegal mining equipment to prevent the site's immediate reuse. The substantial investment required for such machinery suggests that the site was part of a well-funded syndicate rather than a small-scale artisanal venture.

All 38 suspects are scheduled for court arraignment on Monday, March 2, 2026, where they will face charges related to illegal mining and potentially child labor violations. The Eastern South Regional Police Command has reiterated its commitment to sustaining these operations until the menace of galamsey is significantly curtailed. As the legal proceedings commence, stakeholders are calling for stricter enforcement and more robust monitoring of secluded areas to protect the country's natural resources and the welfare of its youth.