News
‘The Galamsey Entrepreneurs’ launched to commemorate Maj. Mahama’s 4th anniversary
A book titled, “The Galamsey Entrepreneurs—The Bane of African Nations” has been launched in Accra to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the demise of Major Maxwell Mahama, who was killed at Dankyira Obuasi in the Central Region in his fight against illegal mining.
The book authored by Joy S.A. Alamu and published by KingSmaker Publishing is focused on the negative impact of illegal mining and how best to salvage the situation to provide gainful employment for the youth.
Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor,Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, in a speech read on his behalf commended the author for documenting the ills of galamsey.
He said the over exploitation of gold in communal mining had been associated with negative impact which called for a remedy to the situation before it became worst.
“We would also want to pay glowing tribute to the memory of other security personnel, and all others,who have gallantly fought against illegal and unnecessary destruction of our environment, the creation of hazards for both men and animals as well as other unacceptable behaviour by galamsey”, he said.
Mr Jinapor said it was his hope that the book would broaden the scope of entrepreneurs, especially, the youth in taking up the challenge of safe mining.
He said the government was equally engaging with stakeholders on a new small scale mining to change the negative narrative of the sector, saying,” we are saying, no more polluting of our water bodies,no more unnecessary degradation of our landscape, and no more unnecessary accidents, injuries and fatalities”.
Mr Jinapor said the new small scale mining would, while generating employment and other economic activities for as many community members as possible, would prevent unnecessary accidents and protect the environment.
The book was launched by Dr Wale Okediran, General Secretary of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA) and the first copy was bought by Mr. Emmanuel Adumoa Bossman, Deputy Chief of Staff at GH¢10,000.
A 30-year-old man has been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour by the Bekwai Circuit Court for his role in a 2022 robbery at a mining site at Manso Akwasiso in the Ashanti South Region.
The convict, Dominic Ofori, also known as Fanta, was arrested on 16th February 2026 after years on the run. He pleaded guilty before the Bekwai Circuit Court to robbery contrary to Section 149 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 Act 29, and was accordingly sentenced to 25 years imprisonment with hard labour.
On March 20, 2022, the Manso Adubia District Police received intelligence that a group of armed men from Manso Abodom were planning to attack a mining site at Manso Akwasiso to rob the owner of gold concentrate. Acting on the information, police mounted a coordinated operation and laid an ambush at the site.
At about 5:30 pm the same day, four-armed men arrived at the site, fired indiscriminately, and robbed the miners of their gold concentrate. The police team on surveillance intervened, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
Three of the suspects, Abu Abubakar, Musah Latif, and Gideon Takyi, sustained gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at St Martins Catholic Hospital at Agroyesum. Dominic Ofori escaped at the time but was later arrested and put before the court.
The Ashanti South Regional Police Command has assured the public of its continued commitment to combating violent crimes and bringing offenders to justice.
The Ashanti Regional Police Command has arrested 45-year-old Isaac Boafo, also known as “Duabo King,” for allegedly publishing false news intended to cause fear and panic.
Police said the arrest follows a viral TikTok video in which Boafo claimed that four officers at the Central Police Station in Kumasi engaged in inappropriate conduct with commercial sex workers during night patrols in Asafo.
Officers from the Police Intelligence Directorate (Ashanti Region) apprehended Boafo after receiving intelligence about the video.
During questioning, he admitted to creating the video to attract views and engagement online, and acknowledged that he could not prove the allegations.
Boafo also admitted making comments about the President of the Republic for content purposes and could not defend those statements.
He has been formally charged and is in detention as investigations continue.
The Ashanti Regional Police have warned the public against publishing or sharing false information on social media, noting that such acts can cause fear, panic, and damage reputations.
They said anyone found engaging in similar conduct will face legal action.
By: Jacob Aggrey
