5 Arrested, 300 Chanfans Destroyed Over Illegal Mining Along River Offin

Five persons, including the Assembly Member for the Kotokuom Electoral Area, Akwasi Poku, have also been arrested in connection with illegal mining activities in some communities along the River Offin in the Ashanti Region. The four other suspects were picked up at the Abompe, Abaasua, Amaada and Agogoso in Atwima

Mponua District. They are Nana Yaw Owusu, Nana Appiah, Opanyin Kuffour and Opanyin Kwaku Duah. They are among seven elders that have been selected to serve as Dikro in the absence of a chief for Kokotuom. They have been handed over to the Nyinahini Police for the necessary legal action. Also, 300 chanfans used in their

activities were impounded and burnt down during the two-day operation carried out by a task force put together by the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners, in collaboration with the district assembly. A large number of illegal mining operators, on seeing the task force, fled, leaving their mining equipment behind.

Meanwhile, Poku’s arrest is seen as significant as residents allege he has been at the forefront of illegal mining activities in the area, with the backing of some traditional leaders in the area.