An Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) team and accompanying journalists came under attack by illegal miners near Obuasi in the Ashanti Region, resulting in several injuries and a serious road crash.
EPA Chief Executive Officer, Professor Nana Ama Klutse, confirmed the incident during an interview on TV3 on Thursday, November 6, 2025. She said the team was on a three-week nationwide operation to disrupt supply chains supporting illegal mining in water bodies.
The joint task force, which included soldiers and national security personnel, had visited an illegal mining site at Dadwene near Obuasi. According to Prof. Klutse, the miners fled upon arrival, leaving behind three excavators operating directly in a river that had been blocked and diverted.
As the team prepared to leave, armed men dressed in black uniforms with “CID” printed on them were seen advancing toward them. Unable to engage, the task force retreated for safety.
While fleeing through Afari, the Accra command instructed them to use an alternative route due to heightened security risks. During this diversion, one of the convoy vehicles collided head-on with a truck believed to be transporting pipes for galamsey operations.
Several EPA officials and journalists sustained injuries. A Channel One TV cameraman reportedly broke his thigh, while an Adom TV correspondent suffered a head injury.
Prof. Klutse expressed gratitude that there were no fatalities and commended the medical team caring for the injured.
“We thank God that we all have our lives. It is unfortunate that we have some injuries, but we have asked the doctors and nurses to pay special attention to them because they were injured while on national duty,” she said.
The attack highlights the growing dangers faced by state officials and journalists involved in Ghana’s ongoing fight against illegal mining, which continues to devastate the country’s rivers and ecosystems.