EPA Anti-Galamsey Operation: Journalists in critical condition after attack

The Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Klutse, has narrated a ghastly incident that occurred in the Ashanti Region, where the agency’s team and some accompanying journalists were attacked by illegal miners (galamseyers).

In an interview with TV3 on November 6, 2025, Prof. Klutse explained that a team of journalists accompanying the EPA on a special operation to clamp down on illegal mining activities was attacked at Dadwene, a community near Obuasi. 

According to her, their vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with a truck as they attempted to flee from the galamsey site after military personnel accompanying them were overwhelmed by well-armed illegal mining operators.

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“We saw some heavily built men, many of them approaching with guns. We had military personnel and national security officers with us, but we realised we couldn’t exchange fire, so we had to run for our lives.

“In the course of fleeing, while speeding on the road, one of our vehicles, which had some EPA staff and journalists on board, collided head-on with a truck that was carrying pipes believed to be used for the galamsey operations,” Prof. Klutse recounted.

She further disclosed that two journalists, including TV3’s Abubakar and a Joy TV camera operator, as well as some EPA staff, sustained severe injuries following the attack.

According to her, all the affected individuals are currently receiving medical treatment.

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“We thank God that everyone is alive. Unfortunately, some sustained injuries. The most critical case involves a Joy TV cameraman who suffered a broken thigh. Your correspondent, Abubakar, had chest pains but is responding well to treatment.

“Adom TV correspondent Joseph sustained a head injury and is also responding to treatment. Some EPA staff members were also injured in the accident, and we have spoken with the doctors and nurses in charge to ensure they receive special attention,” she added.

JHM/SSM