Two young men are currently on trial at the Takoradi Circuit Court for allegedly engaging in illegal mining activities, also known as ‘galamsey’ near River Butre.
The river is the only source of drinking water for several communities in the Ahanta West municipality of the Western region.
The accused, 29-year-old welder, Anthony Twitch and 35-year-old small-scale miner, Augustine Auguendoh, have both pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and undertaking small-scale mining without a license.
The court after hearing their plea could not determine appropriate bail conditions, citing difficulties in assessing their social standing due to the absence of the case investigator, and hence committed them to police inquiry bail.
Presenting the facts of the case, State Attorney, Kingsley Nana Agyekum, told the court that illegal mining activities along River Butre had reached alarming levels, leading to severe pollution of the river.
“This river serves as the only drinking water source for several communities, and these unlawful activities pose a serious public health and environmental threat,” he said.
He narrated that on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at around 12:15 p.m. a patrol team from the Agona Nkwanta District Police Command, spotted the accused persons actively mining in the Ewusiejoe bush, close to the riverbank.
The two had mounted a changfan machine and two water pumps at the site and were operating without any form of license.
Police managed to arrest the suspects at the scene and seized their equipment.
Upon interrogation, neither of the accused could produce a valid mining license authorizing their operations.
The case has been adjourned to August 14, 2025.
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