The Minerals Development Fund (MDF) has firmly dismissed media reports suggesting that 33 excavators went missing while in police custody, describing such claims as misleading and factually incorrect.
In a press statement issued on July 3, 2025, the MDF clarified the events surrounding a significant anti-illegal mining operation in Akomfre, a mining community in Ghana. According to the Fund, the entire incident has been misrepresented in the media, including a misquote attributed to its Administrator, Dr. Hanna Bisiw-Kotei.
The MDF outlined a timeline that began with a series of strategic engagements with stakeholders in mining communities. These engagements, aimed at addressing the adverse impact of illegal mining, culminated in a major breakthrough when local residents confidentially alerted the MDF to an illegal operation hidden deep in Akomfre.
On June 5, 2025, MDF officials, guided by community members, uncovered a vast site where approximately 40 excavators were engaged in unauthorized mining activities. The team promptly halted the destruction and contacted law enforcement for assistance in securing the equipment.
Due to logistical constraints, the MDF team could not immediately move the heavy machinery. However, by the time the police arrived the following morning, 33 of the excavators had already been removed under the cover of darkness. Only seven remained at the scene and were formally seized.
“The police never had custody of 40 excavators. Therefore, no excavators went missing from police care,” the statement emphasized.
While acknowledging the challenges posed by the operation, the MDF hailed the success of its community-first approach, stating that trust and dialogue with local residents were key in exposing the illegal activity.
The MDF reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources, pledging transparency and continued collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, which has launched an investigation into the case.
The MDF also called on media outlets to exercise greater diligence in reporting sensitive national issues to avoid public misinformation.
By:daily