Police in the Western Region have arrested twelve illegal miners for allegedly causing extensive damage to sections of the Nsuta–Takoradi railway line at Akyem in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality. The suspects are scheduled to appear before the Tarkwa Circuit Court today, Tuesday, October 7.
Their arrest follows the circulation of a viral video showing severe destruction along the railway line — an issue that drew national attention after being reported by the Daily Graphic.
Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson, who led members of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to the affected site, condemned the illegal miners for destroying vital infrastructure to serve their personal interests. He stressed that the railway network is crucial for transporting Ghana’s manganese exports and that the ongoing damage poses a significant threat to both the economy and the environment.
“This is not just an attack on a national asset but on our environment — our water bodies, forest reserves, and our livelihoods,” Mr. Nelson lamented. He expressed disappointment that community members failed to report the illegal activity, which he noted must have been ongoing for weeks or even months.
The Minister has directed police to intensify surveillance in the area and urged the Ghana Railways Authority (GRA) to increase patrols to prevent further encroachment. He also appealed to traditional authorities to take an active role in protecting their lands from illegal mining.
Meanwhile, some residents have accused certain GRA officials of misleading miners by claiming that the new standard-gauge railway line would bypass the Akyem community — an assertion believed to have fueled the illegal excavation.
Sampson Nyame, Assistant Superintendent of Tracks at the Ghana Railways Company, disclosed that monitoring efforts have been hampered due to the breakdown of the only rail car used for inspections.
In response, local youth groups and residents have pledged to assist in reclaiming the degraded areas and to act as community watchdogs against future illegal mining activities.
