Ghana: 4 Arrested in Abesua Bridge Galamsey Collapse Probe

• A bridge over the River Kukubu in Ghana's Abesua community collapsed due to illegal mining activities.
• Four individuals, including two local Unit Committee members and two galamsey operators, have been arrested in connection with the incident.
• The Unit Committee members are accused of leasing land around the bridge and river buffer zone to miners for a fee.
• The arrested suspects face charges related to illegal mining and causing damage to public infrastructure, with an arraignment set for November 3, 2026.
• The bridge collapse has severely impacted local communities, halting economic activities and disrupting access to health and education.

The DCE explicitly stated that no individual would be shielded, emphasizing the imperative to protect public infrastructure.

A critical bridge in Ghana's Ashanti Region, spanning the River Kukubu in the Abesua community, recently collapsed due to extensive illegal mining activities, locally known as galamsey. The structural failure occurred after galamsey operators severely excavated and degraded the land surrounding the bridge, causing the river to swell and inundate the adjacent road. This vital infrastructure served as the sole access point connecting Abesua No.1, Abesua No.2, Nyamebekyere, Abrokyire, and other nearby settlements to the main thoroughfares of Serebuoso and Mankranso.

The destruction of the Abesua bridge has led to the apprehension of four individuals, including two members of the local Unit Committee, in connection with the illicit operations. The other two suspects are identified as galamsey operators who were actively working along the riverbanks. These arrests, confirmed on October 30, 2026, by Atwima Mponua District Chief Executive Ibrahim Issahak, followed significant public outcry and an investigative report by JoyNews that highlighted the severe environmental damage.

Preliminary investigations into the Abesua bridge collapse have uncovered a direct link between certain local officials and the illegal miners. District Chief Executive Issahak revealed that the two Ghana illegal mining Unit Committee members are accused of accepting payments from the galamsey operators in exchange for leasing parcels of land situated both around the bridge and within the river's buffer zone, specifically for illegal mining activities. The illegal miners themselves reportedly implicated the Unit Committee members during initial questioning, corroborating these allegations.

The four individuals, including the two Unit Committee members and the two galamsey operators arrested in connection with the Atwima Mponua galamsey land lease, are currently in police custody. They are actively assisting with ongoing investigations and are slated to appear before a court by Monday, November 3, 2026. They face serious charges related to illegal mining and the significant offense of causing damage to public infrastructure, specifically the River Kukubu bridge. This prosecution underscores the increasing legal scrutiny on those who facilitate such destructive practices.

The collapse of the Abesua bridge has inflicted severe hardship on the affected communities. Residents report a complete halt to economic activities, as farmers are now unable to transport their agricultural produce to vital market centers in nearby urban areas. Access to healthcare has also been critically compromised, with patients facing significant challenges in reaching the nearest medical facilities. The situation is particularly dire for schoolchildren; pupils from the cut-off communities, who typically attend Atwima Asamang Basic School, are frequently forced to miss classes, especially during rainfall, due to the impassable and swollen river.

In response to the crisis, District Chief Executive Issahak, accompanied by the District Engineer and a technical team from the Assembly, promptly visited the site to assess the damage and initiate urgent repair efforts. Immediate interim measures include draining runoff water from the affected stretch, clearing the clogged bridge culvert, and undertaking reinforcement work using boulders, chippings, and gravel to restore the road's motorability. While these temporary fixes are underway, plans for a permanent reconstruction are actively being considered.

Mr. Issahak has publicly assured residents of the Assembly's unwavering commitment to fully restore the vital road link. He also issued a stern warning, affirming that all persons found culpable in the illegal mining activities that led to the bridge's destruction, including the galamsey operators arrested Ghana, will face the full force of the law. The DCE explicitly stated that no individual would be shielded, emphasizing the imperative to protect public infrastructure. He further cautioned other Unit Committee members and local opinion leaders against engaging in similar acts, stressing that the Assembly would not hesitate to prosecute anyone found facilitating illegal mining in water bodies or along road reserves.

This case highlights the increasing legal risk for local government officials and landholders in Ghana who facilitate illegal mining (galamsey), especially when it leads to environmental degradation and damage to public infrastructure. Lawyers should advise clients on the severe penalties for enabling such activities and the importance of strict compliance with land use and environmental protection laws to avoid prosecution.

Source: Original reporting via JoyNews and Francis Mensah