A police officer lost his life in the River Offin during an anti-galamsey operation at Assin Asaman in the Central Region.

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The tragic incident, which occurred early this morning, involved Constable John Kwabena Dogbe, who drowned while pursuing illegal miners attempting to flee.

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Constable Dogbe was part of a special task force from the Central North Regional Police Command conducting a swoop against illegal mining activities. The operation, aimed at dismantling mining setups along the river, was disrupted when suspected miners scattered upon spotting law enforcement officers. Some of the miners tried to escape by wading across the river, prompting the officers to give chase.

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In the course of the pursuit, Constable Dogbe lost his footing on the slippery riverside terrain and fell into the fast-moving water. His colleagues immediately launched a rescue effort, but it took four hours before his body was recovered by local police and emergency response teams.

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The officer’s remains were transported to the St. Francis Xavier Hospital in Assin Fosu, where medical personnel confirmed his passing. His body has since been preserved at the facility.

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The news of his death has deeply shaken the local police command and the Assin Asaman community. The Central North Regional Police Command expressed its profound sorrow, describing Constable Dogbe as a dedicated officer committed to combating illegal mining. They reaffirmed their determination to continue the fight against galamsey despite the devastating loss.

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Authorities have launched a full-scale investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Meanwhile, efforts remain ongoing to tackle illegal mining, which has caused severe environmental degradation in the region.

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