Ghana : MCE Arrested For Galamsey

Residents of Upper Denkyira East in the Central Region were spellbound yesterday when they learnt of the arrest of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area, Peter Kodi Owusu Ashia for his alleged involvement in illegal mining, popularly called ‘galamsey’. He was arrested by members of an inter-ministerial taskforce set up by President John Mahama to clamp down on activities of illegal miners in the country. An amount of GH¢17,000 was found on him during a search. The MCE was said to have been arrested together with officers of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) for conniving with some illegal miners in the region whose activities have become a major source of worry for, not only the government, but Ghanaians in general.

A source at the Central Regional Police Command failed to confirm or deny the arrest of the officials when contacted. They were alleged to have extorted monies from some foreign nationals, who were neck deep in the illegal act. Under the current arrangement, foreigners, who engaged in ‘galamsey’, are immediately handed over to officials of the Immigration Service for prosecution or possible deport continued