Two Journalists Critically Injured After Illegal Miners Attack EPA Media Convoy in Ashanti Region
Ashanti Region — At least two Ghanaian journalists are in critical condition following a violent attack and subsequent road accident involving members of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) media team during an anti-illegal mining operation in the Ashanti Region.
The team, which included journalists from multiple media houses, came under attack from suspected illegal miners at Dajwin, near Obuasi, while covering the EPA’s special enforcement operation targeting shops that supply machinery to illegal miners.
According to EPA Chief Executive Officer, Professor Nana Ama Brown-Klutse, the assault forced the convoy to flee the area, resulting in a serious accident near a ferry crossing. “It’s traumatizing, but we thank God for our lives. Eight people were injured two are in critical condition,” Prof. Brown-Klutse confirmed in an interview.
“The most critical is a Joy TV cameraman with a broken thigh bone. Others, including Channel One TV’s Doris and Media General’s Ibrahim Abubakar, are receiving treatment and responding well.”
The EPA team was on the second day of a three-week nationwide operation aimed at shutting down shops selling equipment used in illegal mining particularly “champagne engines”, water pumps, and other machines linked to mining in water bodies. “We had closed 19 shops at Ayanfuri and Adansi-Amansie that violated EPA permit conditions,” the EPA boss explained. “On our way to another site, we spotted an illegal mining operation and stopped to inspect it with the national security officers accompanying us that’s when the attack began.”
The illegal miners reportedly pelted the convoy with stones and blocked their escape route before the vehicles sped off to safety.
Professor Brown-Klutse condemned the assault and said the Agency would not be deterred from enforcing environmental laws. “These attacks show how deeply illegal mining has infiltrated communities,” she said.
“We’ll continue to close down unlicensed facilities and protect Ghana’s rivers and forests but we need stronger security support.”
The EPA operation, supported by national security and local enforcement units, is part of a broader government initiative to curb illegal mining activities threatening Ghana’s water resources.
The illegal mining crisis (“galamsey”) remains one of Ghana’s most pressing environmental and security concerns. Despite repeated crackdowns, operations continue in parts of the Ashanti, Western, and Eastern regions, often leading to violent confrontations between state agencies and illegal miners.
Authorities say journalists play a crucial role in documenting the enforcement process a task that often places them in harm’s way.
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