Chinese Grabbed At Galamsey Site

Three Chinese nationals and a Ghanaian have been arrested by the Kyebi Police for allegedly engaging in illegal mining at Segyemase, near Kyebi in the East Akim Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The suspects-Leo, Xing, Xun and Douglas Abu, who are currently in Police custody assisting investigations, were mining openly despite the government's ban on illegal mining activities commonly known as galamsey across the country some months ago.

The arrest was aided by the taskforce of the East Akim Municipal Assembly sub-committee on Environmental, Mining and Agriculture and the Police during a familiarization tour on Wednesday.

The suspects were caught mining at a concession near the farms of Kofi Portophy, the chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, at Segyemase.

A member of the committee, Kwame Aseidu Bekoe narrated to DAILY GUIDE that as at the time of the arrest the Chinese were relaxing and eating their favorite meals while their Ghanaian employees were busily working.

The Kyebi Ahenbronumu Assembly man added that when they saw them, they decided to run away, but the police officers managed to grab four of them, adding that four Ghanaians fled.

The Police also managed to retrieve an excavator from the mining site.

The East Akim Municipal Assembly members and the Okyenhene Taskforce have been tasked to reclaim uncovered pits for the past two months.

So far they have managed to cover over 180 acres of land in the municipality.

The suspects would be put before court on Thursday.

From Daniel Bampoe, Segyemase