A team of journalists and officials from the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) were involved in a serious road accident in the Ashanti Region on Friday, shortly after coming under attack during an anti-illegal mining operation near Obuasi.
Attack Precedes Accident
The incident occurred during an operation targeting illegal mining sites, known locally as galamsey, around the Obuasi enclave.
- The EPA team, which included supporting security personnel and journalists, reportedly came under attack from a group of irate illegal miners in Dadwene, a nearby community.
- The assault forced the officials and the media personnel to retreat quickly from the area for safety.
Eyewitnesses reported that as the convoy attempted to withdraw, one of the vehicles veered off the road near Afari, resulting in several injuries.
Journalists Sustain Injuries
Several individuals were injured in the subsequent crash, with two journalists reported to be in critical condition.
- Among those involved was Ibrahim Abubakar, the Ashanti Regional Correspondent for Media General, who fortunately escaped without major injuries.
- Another reporter from Adom News, whose name has not yet been disclosed, was also part of the team.
A source close to the EPA operation told reporters that the attack and subsequent accident left several team members traumatized. “It was a frightening scene. The officers and journalists were under real threat before the accident happened,” the source said.
Ongoing Anti-Galamsey Efforts
The operation is part of the EPA’s renewed push to clamp down on illegal mining activities which continue to cause significant destruction to water bodies and farmlands across the Ashanti Region and other parts of Ghana.
Local authorities and the police have yet to issue an official statement on the matter. However, investigations are said to be underway to identify the perpetrators of the attack on the convoy and to fully assess the extent of the injuries sustained in the crash.
