GAF confirms arrest of two soldiers over alleged galamsey extortion

The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) has confirmed the arrest of two soldiers accused of attempting to extort a mining company in the Western Region.

They were arrested alongside two civilians at the Longshine Mining Company Limited at Obouhu, a suburb of Prestea.

Police picked up the four suspects after an alleged robbery attempt on Sunday, September 28, 2025. A video circulating on social media shows the uniformed officers being escorted into a police van for transfer to Accra, where further investigations are expected to continue.

Confirming the development in a statement on Thursday, October 2, 2025, Acting Director General in charge of Public Relations for GAF, Navy Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, said the army was working with the police to establish the facts.

“If found culpable, the personnel will face the law as any citizen of Ghana,” she stated, adding that GAF would not “shield its personnel involved in criminal activities.”

The arrests have sparked concern about the growing trend of security personnel being implicated in violent crimes.

Meanwhile, newly sworn-in Court of Appeal Judge and Dormaahene, Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman Badu II, has dismissed calls for a state of emergency to be declared over illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.

He said such a drastic measure was unnecessary.

Speaking to journalists after the swearing-in of new judges by President John Dramani Mahama, Justice Agyeman Badu II argued that Ghana must instead focus on responsible mining and stronger enforcement.

“No, no, it has not come to that. Let us look at how much Ghana gains in terms of galamsey. Once you declare a state of emergency, you ask yourself who can do what. If we’re not able to get those resources, there will be a gap.

Nobody will argue that there shouldn’t be mining, but it should be done responsibly. That will solve the whole thing. People who are doing galamsey we’re destroying ourselves; there’s a need to stop galamsey,” he said.

The Dormaahene stressed the need for traditional leaders to take an active role in the fight, urging chiefs to use their authority within their jurisdictions to help curb the menace.