Fifteen suspected illegal miners, including an alleged ringleader, have been arrested following a joint security operation at an illicit mining site adjacent to the Sanso Methodist School in Obuasi, Ashanti Region.
The crackdown was triggered by a viral social media video that captured active mining operations dangerously close to the school premises.
Upon viewing the footage, Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene ordered immediate verification and swift action from security agencies.
In response, a combined task force of National Security operatives, the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), and military personnel was deployed to the location.
Preliminary investigations reveal that the group had been covertly operating for roughly two weeks, evading detection largely because the nearby school was on vacation at the time.
All suspects have been transferred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Accra for further questioning and processing.
Ashanti Regional Security Coordinator Captain (Rtd) John Jabari confirmed the arrests and equipment seizure, adding that the Regional Minister has ordered the Regional Reclamation Team to begin restoring the degraded land on August 3.
The urgent rehabilitation effort aims to ensure the site is safe and secure before students return from their break.
