The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has arrested Abekah Gogoe, the Public Relations Officer of Gyetey Gye Nyame Mining Company at Nkroful in the Western Region, for allegedly mining without an environmental permit and discharging mine wastewater into wetlands near the Ankobra River.
Speaking to Channel One TV on Wednesday, May 20, Deputy Director of Mining at the EPA, Harrison Afful, who led the agency’s nationwide compliance operation in the mining sector, said the team also seized two excavators and other mining equipment abandoned by miners who fled upon seeing the EPA officials during the operation on Wednesday, May 20.
“When we came, it looked as if work was ongoing, but the workers absconded when they realised that we were coming. This is a typical effect of illegal mining.
“We have caused the arrest of Abekah Gogoe. They have been operating without a permit. We are arranging with the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat to evacuate the equipment from the site,” he said.
