Twelve individuals have been arraigned before the Accra High Court on charges of illegal mining and environmental pollution at Aboi-Nkwanta in the Western Region. The group is accused of mining without the necessary licenses and causing contamination to the River Tano, a vital water source.
The accused include individuals from various backgrounds, such as Evans Atanga Agana, a motor mechanic, Stephen Tuffour Bempah, a trader, Samuel Addai, a driver, and Joseph Antwi, a motor rider, among others. The group also includes farmers, butchers, and traders from the region.
The court, presided over by Justice Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie, remanded the suspects in custody until their next hearing on May 14, 2025. The arrest was made following a significant operation led by the police, with support from the Inspector General of Police’s office, aimed at curbing illegal mining activities. The operation, which took place on April 18, 2025, uncovered disturbing evidence of brownish, polluted water near the mining sites along the Tano and Subiri Rivers.
The prosecution has indicated that the investigation is ongoing, with law enforcement working to locate additional individuals involved in the illegal mining operation. Authorities have expressed their commitment to addressing the growing problem of illegal mining and its devastating impact on the environment.
This case highlights the growing concerns over illegal mining practices in the region, with many local communities and environmentalists raising alarms about the damaging effects of such activities on natural resources. The court proceedings are set to continue as further investigations unfold.
