By Daniel Bampoe
A joint security operation has resulted in the arrest of 10 illegal miners operating dangerously close to the Abomosu STEM School in the Atiwa West District of the Eastern Region.
The operations were led by the Administrator of the Minerals Development Fund (MDF) and NDC Women’s Organiser, Dr. Hanna Louisa Bisiw-Kotei, and the Atiwa West District Security Taskforce.
The move follows mounting concerns over the environmental and safety risks posed by galamsey activities, especially after the tragic death of a 7-year-old boy in a disused mining pit nearby.
The crackdown was galvanized by public outcry following the drowning of a young boy in an abandoned mining pit at Akyem Akrofufu, a community not far from Abomosu.
The child had gone out to play but slipped and fell into the water-filled pit, raising alarms about the encroachment of illegal miners into residential areas and the threat posed to children and school environments.
Coordinated Sweep
On Wednesday, May 28, a combined team made up of police officers, Immigration Service personnel, and the Atiwa West District task force launched the special operation.
Departing from the premises of the district assembly, the task force stormed the illegal mining site beside the STEM school.
Upon spotting the security team, the illegal miners attempted to flee into nearby thickets. After a pursuit, ten individuals — nine Ghanaians and one Nigerien — were arrested from their hiding places.
The suspects were identified as Opoku Kwabena, Ebenezer Obeng, Felix Opoku, Mporumbo Manda, Kwame Baguaputie, Moses Dakura, Yaba Kudebila, Luumah Hassan, Ishmael Annor, and Armah Abubakar from Niger.
In addition to the arrests, authorities seized a range of mining equipment, including an excavator, bulldozer, water-pumping machines, and several motorcycles believed to have been used in the illegal operations.
STEM School in Danger
What has alarmed many observers is the proximity of the mining to the Abomosu STEM School — a facility established as part of Ghana’s push toward science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education by the Akufo-Addo administration.
According to Dr. Bissiw, the miners had encroached so close to the school premises that students and teachers felt unsafe continuing regular activities.
“They’ve basically taken over school land. How can our children learn when they’re surrounded by noise, dust, and the threat of collapse pits?” she lamented. “This is not just environmental destruction — it’s a direct attack on our children’s future.”
Dr. Bissiw further revealed that the Minerals Development Fund is preparing to introduce a “Polluter Pays” policy that will compel individuals and entities who destroy the environment to bear the cost of cleanup and reclamation.
The initiative is expected to be rolled out in the coming months, in collaboration with district assemblies and law enforcement.
DCE Warns
Atiwa West DCE Amo Johnson Anom issued a stern warning to traditional and political figures who may attempt to lobby on behalf of the arrested individuals.
He emphasized that all ten suspects will be arraigned in court once police investigations are concluded.
