19 Illegal Miners Arrested; Forestry Commission

The Rapid Response Team (RRT) and staff of the Forest Services Division (FSD) in the Tarkwa District of the Western Region have arrested 19 individuals engaged in illegal mining activities in the Bonsa River Forest Reserve.

The operation, which took place on Friday, June 28, 2024, at Aboso North Range, follows an earlier operation on June 12, 2024, where 11 suspects were apprehended in the same forest reserve. The latest arrests bring the total number of illegal miners arrested in the region to 30.

According to a statement from the Corporate Affairs and Media Relations office at the Forestry Commission, the suspects have been handed over to the Tarkwa Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.

This is part of a broader effort by the Commission to combat illegal mining and protect Ghana’s forest and wildlife resources.

Also read; NDC’s Sammy Gyamfi Sues Asaase Radio and ABC News for Defamation

The Forestry Commission has also reported that there are 21 pending illegal mining cases involving more than 111 suspects arrested by officials of the Commission in forest reserves within the Region.

These cases are at various stages of prosecution at Sekondi High Court 2 and Takoradi Circuit Court.

The Commission has appealed to the judiciary in the Region to expedite action on all forest offense cases and has issued a stern warning against illegal mining. The statement also advised illegal operators to refrain from entering forest reserves to prevent further environmental destruction.

In another development, FSD staff in the Bekwai District of the Ashanti Region, assisted by members of the RRT, immobilized two excavators and one motorbike in the Apamprama Forest Reserve, near Kobro, on Friday, June 28, 2024.

Although no arrests were made as the culprits fled upon arrival, this operation highlights the Commission’s commitment to combating illegal mining activities.

The Forestry Commission staff in the Bekwai Forest District remain committed to combating illegal mining activities and will continue to employ intelligence-led operations and night patrols to apprehend illegal operators. The public is advised to report any suspicious activities to the nearest Forestry Commission office or call the toll-free hotline for prompt action.

As Ghana works towards achieving its sustainable development goals, it is crucial that we prioritize conservation and management of our natural resources. The Forestry Commission’s efforts to combat illegal mining are essential to safeguarding our environment and preserving our natural heritage for future generations.

Kindly share our story on; 19 Illegal Miners Arrested; Forestry Commission

For more stories; click Here.