12 miners remanded over illegal mining, River Tano pollution

Twelve individuals appeared before the Accra High Court. They are accused of illegal mining at Aboi-Nkwanta in the Western Region. They also allegedly polluted the River Tano.

The accused include Evans Atanga Agana, a motor mechanic, and Stephen Tuffour Bempah, a trader. Other defendants are Samuel Addai, a driver; Joseph Antwi, a motor rider; Elijah Atambilla, a mason; and Kennedy Akwasi Awimbora, a student.

The remaining suspects are Waja Matthew, a farmer; Naya Sampana, a butcher; and several traders: Janet Atanga, Beatrice Amponsah, Aishetu Gariba, and Grace Enyomam Amorkupor.

Justice Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie presided over the case. She remanded the suspects into custody until May 14, 2025.

Police from the National Headquarters in Accra arrested them. This was part of an operation directed by the Inspector General of Police to combat illegal mining.

The arrests occurred on April 18, 2025. The operation took place along the Tano and Subiri Rivers near Samreboi.

Prosecutors reported that police found brownish water in areas where mining occurred. Investigations are ongoing to find more accomplices.