Illegal Miners Invade Hiawa Prisons Camp

In a shocking incident highlighting the ongoing issue of illegal mining in Ghana’s Western region, unauthorized miners have invaded the Hiawa Prisons Camp, causing fear and panic among community members and raising questions about environmental degradation and security.

The Hiawa Prisons Camp, which was set up to rehabilitate inmates through agricultural pursuits, has become the most recent target for illegal miners, commonly known as ‘galamsey’ operators.

These unauthorized operations endanger not only the integrity of correctional facilities but also pose significant challenges to the surrounding environment and residents.

This invasion is part of a larger pattern of illegal mining activity in the region.

Of notable mention, the Western Regional Police Command apprehended seven Chinese nationals and eight Ghanaians participating in illegal mining activities along the Ankobra River on February 22, 2025.  

The operation resulted in the confiscation of ten excavators from Abelego and Akango, both in the Evalue Ajomore-Gwira District.

These miners were operating directly in the Ankobra River, a crucial river that had already suffered from years of unregulated mining, causing lasting damage to the quality of water, aquatic ecosystems, and farming. Foreign nationals’ involvement in unlawful mining is a persistent concern.

The Ghanaian government has stepped up efforts to curb unlawful mining.

These efforts include dismantling unlawful constructions within forest reserves and seizing equipment used in unlicensed mining operations. Despite these attempts, a few difficulties keep persisting.

On February 21, 2025, journalists were attacked by illegal miners for researching the destruction of the Breman Adomanya Forest.

 This incident highlights the dangers those reporting this national crisis face.