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Seven people, including journalists and officials of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), who sustained injuries in an accident at Dadwene, a community near Obuasi in the Ashanti Region, are currently responding to treatment. The incident occurred during an EPA operation aimed at inspecting and clamping down on unauthorized mining activities in the area. Reports indicate that a confrontation with illegal miners forced the team to retreat, during which their vehicle was involved in an accident. Among the injured were four journalists — Citi FM/Channel One TV’s Doris Lonta, two reporters from the Multimedia Group Limited, and one from Media General — as well as a Multimedia Group cameraman and two EPA officials. According to Citi FM’s Hafiz Tijani, the cameraman, who suffered severe injuries, was transferred from a local health facility to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for surgery. The other victims, including Doris Lonta, who sustained shoulder and back injuries, are said to be recovering after undergoing X-rays. Media General’s Ibrahim Abubakar has since been discharged. Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Minister, Frank Amoakohene, has directed the Regional Police Command to conduct a full investigation into the incident. A statement issued by his press aide said the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in the Ashanti Region has been instructed to secure the area, suspend all illegal mining operations, and ensure the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted. “The Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council remains resolute in its commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring the safety of all officers engaged in lawful anti-illegal mining operations,” the statement concluded. ‘We had to run for our lives’: EPA Boss recounts violent galamsey encounter near Obuasi
