The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has, with immediate effect, reshuffled commanders stationed in illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey-prone areas.
In a statement, the Police noted that the move forms part of efforts to crack down on the menace.
The statement explained that this is the first phase of the reshuffle exercise, with more expected to follow, aimed at injecting fresh energy into the fight against illegal mining activities across the country.
The first phase targets Divisional and District Commanders mainly in the Eastern South, Western, and Western North regions.
“This reshuffle is part of a broader effort to ensure more effective policing in areas plagued by illegal mining,” the statement noted.
The reshuffle aligns with an earlier directive from the Interior Minister, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, who instructed IGP Yohuno to immediately transfer all police commanders stationed in mining areas.
Speaking during an engagement with Imams and Zongo Chiefs in Kumasi, the Asawase MP explained that the move is intended to replace commanders who have been stationed in these areas for an extended period but have failed to effectively tackle the menace.
In a related development, a special four-day continuous intelligence-led anti-galamsey operation, which began on April 17, 2025, within the Samreboi enclave in the Western Region, has led to the arrest of 47 people along the Tano River and in the Aboi, Subri, and Nimiri forests.
The suspects include 39 Ghanaians, 8 Chinese nationals, and four women.
Below is the full statement:
POLICE RESHUFFLE COMMANDERS IN GALAMSEY AREAS AS IT INTENSIFIES ITS WAR ON ILLEGAL MINING ACTIVITIES
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno in keeping with his promise to wage a relentless war on illegal mining activities (galamsey) has reshuffled Police commanders in galamsey prone areas.
This is said to be the first phase of the reshuffle exercise as many more are expected to follow to inject fresh energy in the fight against illegal mining activities in the country.
Police Commands affected include some Divisional and District Commanders mainly in the Eastern South, Western and Western North Police Regions.
In a related development, the Ghana Police Service has made a major breakthrough in its war against illegal mining (galamsey).
A special four continuous days intelligence-led anti-galamsey operations which started on 17th April, 2025 within the Samreboi enclave in the Western Region has resulted in the arrest of 47 people for illegal mining activities along the Tano River and in the Aboi, Subri and Nimiri forests of the Western region.
The suspects comprises 39 Ghanaians and 8 Chinese as well as four (4) women.
Exhibits retrieved during the operation include;
1. Seventeen (17) escavators
2. One (1) bulldozer
3. Four (4) motorbikes
4. Two (2) Toyota Hilux vehicles
5. One (1) Rav4 vehicle
6. Four (4) pump action guns
7. One (1) single barrel gun
8. 54 live BB cartridges and
9. Eight (8) pumping machines
All the suspects are in custody and will be taken through the due process of the law.
