A tragic incident occurred on Wednesday morning (April 02, 2025) when a police officer, Constable John Kwabena Dogbe, drowned in the River Offin at Assin Asaman in the Central Region.
The unfortunate event happened during an anti-illegal mining (galamsey) operation conducted by the Central North Regional Police Command.
According to a report by Graphic Online, the police team had launched a swoop in the area to clamp down on illegal mining activities, which have been devastating the environment, polluting water bodies, and degrading farmlands.
When the police arrived at the site, the illegal miners, upon spotting them, fled to the opposite side of the riverbank.
In an attempt to seize and destroy mining equipment, including changfang machines and water pumps used in the illegal operations, Constable Dogbe lost his footing and fell into the river. Despite efforts by his colleagues to rescue him, he was swept away by the strong currents.
A search operation was immediately launched, and after four hours, his lifeless body was retrieved from the river.
Authorities have since commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Meanwhile, the Central North Regional Police Command has reiterated its commitment to fighting illegal mining and protecting Ghana’s natural resources.