Eight Arrested For Illegal Mining at Amomaso Forest
Police arrest eight suspects following community tip-off over illegal mining activities in Amomaso Forest near Berekum.
- Eight arrested in Amomaso Forest galamsey bust
- Police recover mining tools at illegal site
- Suspects to face prosecution after investigation
The Ghana Police Service has arrested eight individuals in connection with illegal mining activities at the Amomaso Forest near the Berekum Municipality in the Bono Region.
According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Bono Regional Police Command, Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, the arrests were made after a distress call on May 20, 2026, at about 4:00 p.m., reporting that some suspects had been detained by residents for engaging in illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
The statement explained that the Berekum District Patrol Team quickly moved to the scene, where they met local youth who had already apprehended the suspects.
Police retrieved items believed to have been used for illegal mining activities, including one pickaxe, four shovels, a water pumping machine, and a woollen carpet allegedly used in gold washing.
The suspects were handed over to the police, formally re-arrested, and taken into custody to assist with ongoing investigations.
They have been identified as Atule Nathaniel (23), Azusiwine Cletus (22), Ayaama Thomas (15), Asigiya Joseph (23), Aboyinga Aselise (37), Atanbire Reymond (20), Isaac Ntim (46), and Aguya Isaac (25).
Police say preparations are underway to prosecute the suspects.
The Bono Regional Police Command praised the Amomaso community for their cooperation and urged the public to continue reporting illegal mining activities to security agencies.
