On Thursday 3 September 2026, the Jema Anti‑Galamsey Advocacy (JAGA) Watch Committee welcomed six new volunteers at the Jema Community Centre, a move that raises the total to 20, including three women. The ceremony was presided over by Chief Superintendent Augustine Kweku Mensah, Enchi District Commander of Police.
Chief Supt. Mensah praised the community for its determination to safeguard Jema’s land and water from illegal mining. He highlighted that, unlike many surrounding villages, Jema has kept its rivers pristine, still supporting a thriving fishery of crabs, lobsters and freshwater species.
The district commander warned of the human toll of abandoned galamsey pits, noting that this year there has been almost a weekly report of drownings in such sites. He urged residents to stay alert and protect the gains made in preserving natural resources.
He explained that the JAGA Watch Committee will act as an auxiliary to the police, working closely with officers stationed in Jema. The committee’s remit extends beyond monitoring illegal mining to tackling other threats such as hard‑drug use, robbery, unlawful motorbike riding and general indiscipline.
Chief Supt. Mensah cautioned against assaulting or interfering with committee members during their duties, stressing that such actions would be treated seriously by the police. He also reminded volunteers to operate within legal boundaries.
Addressing the recent arson of the JAGA billboard, the commander warned that criminal offences do not expire and that offenders should not attempt further acts of arson, especially after the billboard’s re‑erection.
The reinforcement reflects a growing trend of community‑led resistance to illegal mining in Ghana’s mining districts. Jema’s success in protecting its water bodies stands out in the Aowin area, where many neighbouring communities have suffered extensive environmental damage.
The police’s decision to integrate the committee as an auxiliary structure underscores a broader reliance on community surveillance in the fight against galamsey and associated crime.
Moving forward, the committee will continue to collaborate with police personnel on anti‑galamsey surveillance and broader community safety enforcement, aiming to maintain Jema’s environmental integrity and public safety.
