Two remanded for illegal mining

The Tarkwa Circuit Court on Wednesday remanded Isaac Debrah, a 22-year old driver and Godbless Ackah, a 27-year old farmer, for illegal mining.

The accused persons pleaded guilty and will re-appear before the court for sentence.

Prosecuting, Police Chief Inspector Oscar Amponsah, told the court presided by Mr. Justice Obeng Asante that, the complainants are security officers of Goldfeilds Ghana Limited (GGL), Tarkwa Mine, and the accused persons reside at Mankessim, a farming community near the mine.

He said at about 6 .15 a.m. on October 8 this year, the complainants were patrolling the Company’s premises and on reaching the Akontasi Cut 7 area within the concession of the mine, they spotted the accused persons carrying a sack which they suspected contained gold.

Chief Inspector Amponsah said Isaac and Godbless were, therefore, arrested and handed over to the police at Tarkwa together with the sack for investigation.

He said when the exhibits were sent to the laboratory for the assay report, it indicated that the sack contained gold valued 129.15 Ghana cedis and 115.26 Ghana cedis.