Galamsey Operators Invade 261-Acre Land In Wassa Amenfi West, Attack Angel News Reporter

Chinese and Ghanaian-led illegal miners (galamsey operators) have invaded a 261-acre land in the Breman-Adomanya forest area of the Wassa Amenfi West District in the Western Region, devastating timber trees, cocoa, and rubber farms while polluting the nearby River Tano.

The destruction, widely known by police personnel in and around the Asankragwa area, escalated when galamseyers attacked journalists covering the incident.

Angel News reporter Nana Fynn, Citi News reporter Akwasi Agyei Annim, and Rok/peacs FM reporter Jacob Baah were assaulted, and their production equipment was damaged in the full glare of their police escort while filming.

The media team had visited the site upon an invitation from a farmer, Isaac Kwasi Bekye, who lamented the destruction of his farmland, including timber, cocoa, and rubber plantations, and the pollution of River Tano.

Before heading to the site, the journalists reported at the Asankragwa Police Station and requested police protection. They were granted an escort of four officers.

However, upon arrival at the devastated land, a security guard on-site alerted the galamsey operators, who quickly mobilized against the journalists.

According to Nana Fynn, the confrontation escalated as the journalists attempted to capture detailed footage of the destruction.

The galamseyers, led by Yaw Kurankyi—a man believed to have sold the land to the miners—forcefully ended the coverage.

The mob seized the journalists’ cameras, microphones, and the mobile phone of the Citi News reporter, who was attempting to record the altercation.

Despite the presence of the four-member police escort, the galamseyers continued their assault.

Kurankyi blocked the journalists’ exit with his pickup vehicle and detained them until 7 PM, demanding that all recordings be deleted before their release.

Police reinforcements were eventually dispatched, allowing the journalists to leave the area, but only after they agreed to delete their footage at the Asankragwa District Police Station.

Upon arrival at the station, Yaw Kurankyi was arrested, and statements were taken from the journalists.

Meanwhile, Isaac Kwasi Bekye, who exposed the devastation, expressed frustration over the lack of intervention by traditional authorities and local police.

“What is happening on Adomanya lands currently is not good at all.

Illegal mining operators have destroyed a vast area of 261 acres of land, including cocoa, trees, food crops, and rivers. Some of us have complained and reported over and over to authorities to no avail.

Traditional authorities and other officials have failed to listen to us. The galamseyers chase us away with guns and cutlasses whenever we come here.

We plead with operators, including Dabeina and Abegyin companies, to stop the destruction,” he stated.

He further called on the government to take urgent action to halt the illegal activities and restore the land to its rightful state.

Story by Nana Fynn@W/R.