A man identified as a senior elder of the Church of Pentecost has been arrested for his alleged involvement in illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey, at Asante Akyem Manso in the Ashanti Region.
The suspect, named as David Peter Bobie, was reportedly picked up by operatives of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) during a targeted operation in the area.
The operation was carried out along the Kume River and surrounding communities, including Morso, Kyekyebiase, and Bimma, where illegal mining activities have been ongoing.
The suspect is alleged to have been working as a foreman at an illegal mining site at Akyem Manso, near Juaso in the Asante Akim South District.
He was reportedly apprehended during the swoop and later identified himself as an elder of a Church of Pentecost branch in Konongo during interrogation.
The arrest forms part of intensified efforts by authorities to clamp down on illegal mining, which continues to pose serious threats to Ghana’s environment, particularly water bodies and farmlands.
Further details on charges and possible court proceedings are yet to be officially communicated by the authorities.
Meanwhile, the case adds to growing concerns over the involvement of individuals from various professional and social backgrounds in illegal mining activities, as the government continues its nationwide fight against galamsey.
