Thirteen suspected illegal miners arrested by forest guards in the Enchi enclave in the Aowin Municipality of the Western North Region have been remanded into police custody for seven days following their arraignment before the Enchi Magistrate Court, as Ghana intensifies its nationwide fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The suspects were apprehended during a security operation led by Enchi Forest Guards in a forest reserve area within the Western North Region, following intelligence reports of ongoing illegal mining activities that pose a serious threat to forest resources and nearby water bodies.
When the case was called, the presiding magistrate ruled that the Enchi Magistrate Court lacks the jurisdiction to try illegal mining-related offences.
According to the court, such cases fall under the mandate of higher courts, particularly those with the authority to handle environmental and mining-related crimes.
As a result, the magistrate ordered that all 13 suspects be remanded into police custody for a period of seven days to enable the police complete preliminary processes and transfer the case to a court of competent jurisdiction.
The court further directed the prosecution to ensure that the suspects are properly arraigned before the appropriate higher court without undue delay.
The case has been adjourned to 29th January 2026, pending the transfer.
In his remarks, the magistrate emphasized the need for strict adherence to legal procedures in prosecuting illegal mining cases, noting that jurisdictional limitations must be respected to avoid miscarriages of justice.
He also underscored the seriousness of illegal mining and the necessity for coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and the judiciary to effectively address the menace.
The latest development was made public through a Facebook post by Erastus Asare Donkor, an award-winning investigative journalist with Multimedia Group, who has been at the forefront of exposing the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining across the country.
Illegal mining continues to be a major environmental and national security concern, particularly in forest reserves and along critical river bodies. Successive governments have pledged zero tolerance for galamsey, with intensified operations involving the military, police, forestry officials, and other state agencies.
Residents in the Enchi area have welcomed the arrests, expressing hope that the case will be pursued diligently to serve as a deterrent to others engaged in the unlawful activity. Environmental advocates have also renewed calls for stiffer sanctions and faster prosecution of offenders to safeguard Ghana’s forests and water resources for future generations.
As the suspects remain in custody, the nation watches closely to see how the case proceeds at the higher court, amid growing public demand for decisive action against illegal mining.
