Eight arrested over illegal mining at Amomaso Forest.

The Ghana Police Service has arrested eight persons in connection with illegal mining activities at the Amomaso Forest near the Berekum Municipality in the Bono Region.

According to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Bono Regional Police Command, Chief Inspector Thomas Akeelah, the suspects were arrested following a distress call received on May 20, 2026, at about 4:00 p.m.indicating that some individuals had been apprehended by residents for engaging in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

The statement explained that upon receiving the information, the Berekum District Patrol Team proceeded to the scene where they met some youth of the town who had already arrested the suspects.

Police said the suspects were found with one pickaxe, four shovels, a water pumping machine and a woollen carpet allegedly used for washing gold.

The suspects were subsequently handed over to the police, re-arrested and detained to assist investigations.

The suspects have been identified as Atule Nathaniel, 23; Azusiwine Cletus, 22; Ayaama Thomas, 15; Asigiya Joseph, 23; Aboyinga Aselise, 37; Atanbire Reymond, 20; Isaac Ntim, 46; and Aguya Isaac, 25.

Police say efforts are underway to prepare them for prosecution.

The Bono Regional Police Command commended members of the Amomaso community for their cooperation and urged the public to continue reporting illegal mining activities to the police.