Authorities in the Western Region have arrested 12 individuals accused of illegal mining activity that led to the destruction of a critical stretch of the Western Railway Corridor, intensifying concerns over the country’s struggling infrastructure and enforcement gaps.
The arrests, announced Monday by Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson, follow an operation by the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Police Command in response to the degradation of the railway near Bonsawere, a community in the mineral-rich Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality.
Illegal miners, known locally as galamseyers, allegedly targeted the area in search of gold after freight operations were suspended more than a year ago. The stretch had been used primarily for transporting manganese from Nsuta to the Takoradi Harbour. With mining operations halted and oversight reduced, the disused corridor became a soft target for illegal excavation.
“This level of destruction is appalling,” said Minister Nelson during an on-site inspection. “We must ensure the full prosecution of those arrested and implement sustained monitoring to prevent further encroachment.”
The Western Railway Corridor, one of Ghana’s key industrial arteries, has suffered from decades of neglect and underinvestment. Analysts warn that such incidents highlight broader systemic challenges facing Ghana’s transportation infrastructure, particularly in regions where mining remains both a livelihood and a legal flashpoint.
The government has pledged to modernize its railway network as part of broader efforts to boost exports and reduce road congestion. However, progress has been slow, and critics argue that enforcement against illegal mining remains inconsistent.
Minister Nelson’s comments underscore growing pressure on local authorities to act decisively against illegal mining — an issue that continues to complicate both environmental policy and infrastructure development across Ghana.
