Twelve individuals accused of damaging portions of the Tarkwa- Takoradi railway line through illegal mining activities have been remanded into prison custody by the Tarkwa Circuit Court.
Presided over by Ama Akosua Manu, the court ordered the accused to reappear on October 22, 2025, as investigations and legal proceedings continue.
The suspects Dennis Adom, Larry Kweku, Labin Moeshi, Isaac Arhin, Eliasu Asumah, Nureeden Kwabena, Idari Mobe, Kwame Simon, Bernice Adom, Jude Asuma, Alex Kofi Aquah, Jonathan Ayandoh, and Combat Daniel face charges of engaging in illegal mining (galamsey) and causing damage to public infrastructure.
The group was initially arrested on September 30, 2025, for allegedly carrying out illegal mining operations that caused significant damage to a section of the railway line at Akyem in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality. They were first granted police enquiry bail before being formally remanded on Monday.
Authorities say the illegal mining activity compromised the integrity of a railway bridge by removing the supporting soil beneath it, leaving parts of the track dangerously suspended. The affected railway line is critical for transporting Ghana’s manganese exports, and its disruption poses serious economic and safety concerns.