12 people were arrested for damaging the Tarkwa-Takoradi rail line. Investigations into a viral video that showed extensive damage to the rail infrastructure—a vital transportation route for Ghana’s manganese exports—led to the suspects’ capture. Illegal mining operations have caused serious damage and encroachment on the Ghana Manganese Company Limited’s narrow-gauge line.
On Monday, October 6, a high-level group visited the site to determine the extent of the damage. Among them were Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson, Tarkwa Nsuaem Issah Salifu Taylor’s MP, and a National Security Liaison Officer.
The foundation beneath a portion of the railway bridge was dug up by illegal miners, who removed the supporting soil and left the rails hanging in mid-air, according to investigations. The embankment had fallen in other places, and significant portions of the line had been destroyed, causing debris to pour into adjacent bodies of water.
The Western Regional Minister, who was clearly troubled by the results, denounced the incident and called on traditional leaders to assume accountability for protecting their communities. To further shield national assets from additional damage, he urged the Ghana Railways Authority (GRA) to step up patrols and put preventative measures in place.
“We cannot permit the same illicit mining operations endangering our ecosystem to damage our rail infrastructure. The Minister emphasized that our institutions must take decisive action and that traditional authorities must assume leadership.
Twelve individuals have been taken into custody and will appear in court on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, according to ASP Den-Ben Eden Selassie, the Operational Commander of the Western-Central Police Command.
Sampson Nyame, the assistant superintendent of tracks and railways, observed that the failure of the sole rail car used for inspections had made monitoring operations more challenging.
Positively, some local youth and community members have started organizing to restore and reclaim the illegal mining sites that have been impacted, indicating a growing sense of civic duty in the midst of the crisis.
According to authorities, investigations are still being conducted to find more of the vandal’s offenders and accomplices.