The Ghana Police Service has arrested sixteen foreign nationals and one Ghanaian for engaging in illegal mining activities at Akyem Amenase in the New Abirem District of the Eastern Region.
The arrests were announced on Monday, June 30, 2025, by the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, during a press briefing at the CID Headquarters in Accra.
The operation followed a formal petition lodged with the CID Headquarters on June 19, 2025, by George Wussah Narh, who reported that unauthorized persons were carrying out illegal mining operations on his legally acquired concession.
“In response, a team of Police officers from the CID Headquarters and National SWAT proceeded to the site on June 20 and effected the arrest of one Ghanaian, Abdul Mumin Adams, and fifteen Chinese nationals,” DCOP Donkor stated.
The Chinese suspects have been identified as Wang Fu Qing, Ye Bi Hua, Zheng Zhou Yi, Ye You Ming, Luo Jian Bo, Tian Yu Bing, Fan Shu Hui, Du Cheng Quan, Yuan Jian Dong, Wu Ke Hu, Zhu Ling Ceng, Chen Yi, Shi Gao Hui, Tan Tao Zhong, and Lin Li Zhong. All were reportedly found actively participating in mining activities without proper authorization.
According to DCOP Donkor, the Ghanaian suspect, Abdul Mumin Adams, admitted in his caution statement that he had facilitated the arrival of the Chinese nationals to operate illegally on the concession, working through an individual identified only as Zhou, who remains at large. “Efforts are underway to have suspect Zhou arrested to assist investigation,” she confirmed.
All sixteen suspects were arraigned before Circuit Court 2 in Koforidua on June 24, 2025, and have been remanded into lawful custody to reappear on a later date.
DCOP Donkor emphasized that all the Chinese nationals admitted to entering Ghana on tourist visas and did not possess the necessary permits to engage in any form of work. “The Ghana Police Service remains fully committed to dismantling organized criminal networks and ensuring the safety and security of all persons and property nationwide,” she stated.
She called on members of the public to report any suspicious activities in their communities.
