In a determined effort to combat illegal mining activities across the country, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, has initiated a significant reshuffle of police leadership in galamsey-prone areas, affecting a total of 34 police commanders.
Highly placed police sources have confirmed to Graphic.com.gh that this personnel shake-up represents the initial phase of a broader, ongoing reshuffle exercise. Further movements of police commanders are anticipated as the IGP seeks to inject fresh impetus and leadership into the fight against the persistent issue of illegal mining in Ghana.
The affected police commands span several regions known to be grappling with illegal mining operations. These include key areas such as Takoradi, Asankragwa, and Tarkwa in the Western Region; Nkawie and Bekwai in the Ashanti Region; as well as Anyinam and Nsawam in the Eastern Region.
The list of transferred commanders, as confirmed by sources within the police service, includes Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jonathan A. Lamptey, who moves from the Gambaga Divisional Command to assume leadership of the Takoradi Divisional Command. Simultaneously, ACP Thomas Osei Ababio departs the Asankragwa Divisional Command to head the Yendi Divisional Command in the Northern Region.
Other notable transfers include Samuel Stephen Okunor from the Northern Regional Headquarters to the Bekwai Divisional Command; ACP Raymond Kofi Erzuah from the Tarkwa Divisional Command to the Kpando Divisional Command in the Volta North Region; and ACP Samuel Yeboah, who moves from the Kpando Divisional Command to the Essiama Divisional Command in the Western Region.
Chief Superintendent (C/Supt) Ebenezer Benson, previously in charge of the Nsawam District Command, will now head the Dawurampong Divisional Command in the Central Region. C/Supt Vitus Napen leaves his post at the Nkawie Divisional Command to take over the Asankragwa Divisional Command, while C/Supt Mahmud Yussif moves from the Regional Motor Traffic and Transport Department (RMTTD) in the Northern Region to the Tarkwa Divisional Command in the Western Region.
Further changes see C/Supt Daniel Anane Amoah of the Takoradi Divisional Command moving to the Navrongo Divisional Command in the Upper East Region; C/Supt William Gyamfi of the Mpohor District Command in the Western Region transferring to the Dzodze District Command in the Volta Region; and C/Supt Joshua Semenyo moving from the Takoradi District Command to the Nkawie Divisional Command in the Ashanti Region.
Superintendent (Supt) Stephen Appiah of the Essiama District in the Western Region will now head the Nsawam District Command, and Supt Kwaku Ayepa, Staff Officer of the Western Regional Command, will take charge of the Bolga District Command in the Upper East Region. Supt Valentine K. Akposu moves from the Agona Nkwanta District Command in the Western Region to the Gushiegu District in the Northern Region, while Supt Alexander Tieku of the James Town District Command in the Ashanti Region transfers to the Anyinam District Command in the Eastern Region.
Supt Simon Woyram Setorglo of the Prestea District Command in the Western Central Region has been reassigned to the Police Headquarters to oversee Logistics, while Supt Angmorter Van-Kofi Eric moves from the Dzodze District Command to the Mpohor District Command in the Western Region. Supt Isaac Kofi Kumnipah of the Sekondi District Command in the Western Region will now head the Nadowli District Command in the Upper West Region, and Supt James Ankan of the Nadowli District Command takes up the role at the Asankragwa District Command.
Supt Fred Ntore Atta-Yeboah leaves the Asangragwa District Command to be in charge of the Funsi District Command in the Upper West Region. The reshuffle also involves Supt Amoani Anoff William, who moves from the Nsuaem District Command in the Western Region to the Tolon District Command in the Northern Region; Supt Mohammed Adamu Awal, transferring from the Elubo District in the Western Region to the Tatale District Command in the Northern Region; Supt Cliff Ofei Ayeh of Mile 7 District Command in the Ashanti Region, who is assigned to the Essiama District in the Western Region; and Supt Emmanuel Kobina Essel, moving from the Police Headquarters (Logistics) to the Prestea District Command in the Western Central Command.
Supt Raymond Iddrisu departs the Anyinam District Command for the Aveyime District Command in the Volta Region; Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Peter Paul Amoah leaves the Tatale District Command in the Northern Region to head the Elubo District Command; and DSP Franklin K. Selby moves from the Manso Amenfi District in the Western Central Region to the Gwollu District in the Upper West Region.
DSP Gladstone Kumeko leaves the Tolon District Command in the Northern Region for the Nsuaem District in the Western Central Command. The remaining transfers include DSP Salifu Yahya of the Wulensi District in the Northern Region moving to the Daboase District Command in the Western Region; DSP Thomas Tulasi of Gushiegu District in the Northern Region taking up the role in the Agona Nkwanta District in the Western Region; DSP Victor Akakpo leaving the Gwollu District for the Manso Amenfi District in the Western Central Region; DSP Anthony Duodu departing Daboase District in the Western Region for the Wulensi District Command in the Northern Region; ASP Sulemana Abubakari leaving the Funsi District Command for the Sekondi District Command; and ASP Kwaku Obeng departing the Shama District in the Western Region for the Eastern Regional Police Headquarters.
This extensive reshuffle underscores the IGP’s commitment to intensifying the fight against illegal mining, particularly in regions like Ashanti and the Western Region which have been significantly affected by galamsey activities. The deployment of new commanders to these key areas is expected to bring fresh perspectives and strategies to tackle this persistent national issue. Residents in Kumasi and other mining communities will be closely watching the impact of these changes.
