News
Compromised police officers have been replaced to strengthen fight against illegal mining – IGP Yohuno reveals*
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has announced that some police officers who were believed to have compromised their positions in the fight against illegal mining have been removed and replaced with energetic and disciplined ones.
In an interview on UTV’s Mpu Ne Mpu, he explained that the Ghana Police Service was taking strong steps to win the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as “galamsey”.
He said some officers who had stayed too long in galamsey-prone areas had become less effective, and it was necessary to bring in new, energetic and committed officers.
“I made some changes. Some of them who have stayed there for long and have compromised their position because of this galamsey, the first thing I did was to bring in people who are really committed to work,” he mentioned.
He said the police began operations without waiting for support from any external body.
“We started work in the Western and Central Regions, particularly at the popular Akonta Mines, where they were able to retrieve over 100 excavators and other items used for illegal mining. Our forest reserves have been totally devastated. I kept my men there for more than two months to sanitize the place,” the IGP bemoaned.
He disclosed that so far, the police had retrieved at least 178 excavators across the country.
The IGP revealed that special police teams had been sent from Accra to areas in Ashanti Region to work on the ground for weeks, even though they faced resistance from some local residents who rely on mining for their livelihood.
Despite the challenges, the IGP said the police are determined to follow the President’s vision of protecting Ghana’s water bodies and forest reserves.
He added that the police would continue to support the newly formed National Illegal Mining Oversight Structure (NIMOS), while also maintaining their own independent efforts against illegal mining.
“We will not stop. We are moving from region to region and making sure we fight crime and galamsey at the same time,” the IGP reiterated.
By Jacob Aggrey
Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has revealed that in the whole of 2024, only GHS 362 million was released to MMDAs in Common Fund.
Contrary to this, In 2025 alone GHS 5 billion was released to the MMDAs with the following breakdown as follows.
The Minister made this revelation when he took his turn at the Government Accountability Series held today.
In breakdown, the minister nonted that 1st Quarter – 790,372,058.40 was released for 2025.
He added that for the 2nd Quarter, 1,464,983,309.60 was released.
3rd Quarter saw the release of 1,188,921,640.80 and
1,592,706,391.20 for 4th Quarter.
The Minister added tha each of the MMDAs were required to undertake the following; at least 2-CHPS compounds, 3 Classroom blocks, 10 Boreholes, and Completion of legacy projects.
Additionally, 25% of the Common Fund was allocated for the Construction of 24-Hour Economy Model Markets.
Ahmed Ibrahim noted that as a result of the timely and unprecedented release of Funds, a total of 494 CHPS compounds, 761 Classroom Blocks, 4,029 Boreholes, and 2,755 Legacy projects are currently at various stages of completion.
Also, he added that 261 24-Hour Economy Model Markets have all been awarded on contracts and construction has begun on many of them.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Christian Tetteh Yohuno, together with members of the Police Management Board (POMAB), on April 17, 2026, decorated nineteen (19) senior officers who have been promoted to their next ranks based on the recommendations of the Police Council and approval of the President, John Dramani Mahama.
The ceremony, held at the National Police Headquarters in Accra, forms part of efforts to recognise merit, dedication, and long-standing service within the Ghana Police Service, while strengthening leadership across key operational and administrative levels.
The officers promoted from Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCOP) to Commissioner of Police (COP) are Dr. Luke Asue-In-Yeng Zakpaa, Mr. Frederick Agyei, Mr. Duuti Tuaruka, Mr. Arthur Osei-Akoto, Mr. Darko Offei Lomotey, Mr. Eric Ken Winful, Mr. Barnabas Nambont Nasumong, and Mr. Desmond Owusu Boampong.
The IGP and members of POMAB congratulated the officers and urged them to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in the discharge of their duties.
