Illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, continues to create serious security, environmental, and social problems in many communities across the Western North Region. An undercover investigation by LegendReport has revealed increasing criminal activities, deaths, school dropouts, prostitution, drug abuse, and environmental destruction linked to galamsey operations in districts such as Juaboso, Akontombra, Bodi, Suaman, Aowin, and Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai.
Investigations conducted by reporters of legendreport revealed that many innocent lives have been lost in mining pits, polluted rivers, and violent criminal activities connected to illegal mining.
Juaboso District
In the 2025 performance review of juaboso District Assembly, the District Police Commander, disclosed that several persons drowned in galamsey pits within the district.
On June 3, 2025, LegendReport reported that a 22-year-old man was found dead in an abandoned galamsey pit. Earlier, on May 1, 2024, Onua Online reported that four people were killed by galamsey pits within one month in the Juaboso District.
On December 12, 2025, LegendReport also reported concerns raised by residents of the Sefwi Antobia Electoral Area over the negative impact of illegal mining on their communities. The chief of Kwawkrom lamented that he had buried five people whose deaths were linked to unreclaimed galamsey pits.
Crime associated with illegal mining is also increasing in the district. In January 2026, LegendReport reported that police arrested three family members over a gold robbery at Sefwi Abrokofe. There were also reports of armed robbery attacks at mining sites in the district.
On November 18, 2025, Adom Online reported the arrest of a self-acclaimed fetish priest and suspected armed robbers over alleged robbery activities in Juaboso. Additionally, reports by Onua Online, 3News, and Adom Online on August 30, 2025, indicated that a man was remanded for threatening security agencies with a firearm.
These incidents show a growing connection between illegal mining and violent crimes in the Juaboso District.
Environmental destruction is also becoming severe. Major rivers in the district have been polluted by illegal mining activities. According to reports by the Resource Foundation Ghana, school dropout rates are increasing in mining communities.
The Girl-Child Coordinator of the Juaboso Education Directorate recently revealed that many male students are dropping out of school to engage in illegal mining. Investigations further revealed that children as young as eight years old are involved in galamsey activities.
Suaman District
Lives continue to be lost through illegal mining activities in the Suaman District.
On March 27, 2025, Onua Online and 3News reported that two people died after a galamsey pit caved in at Dadieso-Kwabenakrom.
Again, on March 14, 2025, Adom Online and Onua Online reported that two persons died in separate galamsey pits at Karlo.
In another tragic incident, a police officer drowned in a river during an operation against illegal miners on September 27, 2022.
Investigations revealed increasing social vices, including drug abuse, prostitution, and the illegal handling of weapons in mining communities. Many children have abandoned school to join illegal mining activities.
The construction of ghettos and mining camps has also contributed to rising crime rates in the district. Community members say foreign nationals continue to enter the area daily because of illegal mining activities.
Traditional authorities have also expressed concern. The Omanhene of Aowin has raised alarms over increasing prostitution and child exploitation linked to galamsey activities.
Akontombra District
In April 2025, four persons reportedly died in galamsey pits at Sefwi Akontombra. The incidents were reported by Onua Online, 3News, Adom Online, and Sefwi News.
Illegal mining activities have also polluted major rivers in the area from 2019 to date, affecting water bodies and farming activities.
Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality
Records in the Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai Municipality show increasing illegal mining activities.
In one controversial case, an NDC Youth Organiser in the constituency was reportedly arrested in connection with a missing excavator linked to galamsey operations.
In February 2026, LegendReport reported that a galamsey pit killed one person at Chirano. Again, on June 11, 2025, Onua Online reported that a 19-year-old drowned in an abandoned galamsey pit at Chiene.
In February 2025, Onua Online also reported that a land guard allegedly shot a farmer who refused to allow access through his farm to a galamsey site.
The investigation reveals that galamsey is no longer only an environmental issue but also a major security and social crisis in the Western North Region.
Communities are experiencing:
- Rising armed robbery cases
- Deaths in abandoned mining pits
- Drug abuse
- Prostitution
- Child labor
- School dropouts
- River pollution
- Illegal possession of weapons.
Residents continue to question the outcome of police investigations and whether justice will ever be served for victims who lost their lives due to illegal mining activities.
Many are asking whether authorities can bring the situation under control before crime and social vices worsen further across the region.
