A team of journalists covering an Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) anti-illegal mining exercise in the Ashanti Region has been involved in a serious accident near Afari, close to Obuasi.
The incident occurred on Friday, during a field operation aimed at dismantling illegal mining (galamsey) sites within the Obuasi enclave. Reports indicate that the EPA task force, which was accompanied by armed security personnel, came under attack from a group of irate miners at Dadwene, forcing the officials and journalists to retreat.
Eyewitnesses say chaos broke out as the convoy attempted to withdraw from the area. In the confusion, one of the vehicles skidded off the road near Afari, resulting in several injuries. Two journalists reportedly sustained critical injuries and were rushed to a nearby medical facility.
Among those involved in the accident was Ibrahim Abubakar, the Ashanti Regional Correspondent for Media General, who fortunately escaped with minor injuries. Another reporter from Adom News, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, was also part of the affected team.
A source close to the EPA operation told AlmightyNews that the ordeal has left members of the team deeply shaken.
“It was terrifying — the officers and journalists were under real threat before the crash happened,” the source recounted.
The anti-galamsey exercise is part of the EPA’s intensified crackdown on illegal mining activities destroying water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands across Ghana.
As of now, both the police and local authorities are yet to issue an official statement, though investigations are reportedly underway to identify those behind the attack and to determine the full extent of the injuries.
Source: AlmightyNews
