Forestry Commission Arrests 12 Illegal Miners in Atewa Forest Reserve Dawn Operation
The Rapid Response Unit (RRU) of the Forestry Commission has arrested 12 people suspected of engaging in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, inside the Atewa Range Forest Reserve in the Eastern Region.
The arrests followed a joint covert operation conducted at dawn on Thursday, September 4, 2026, around the Sagyimase community in the Kyebi Forest District.
According to the operation report, 17 personnel drawn from the Assin Fosu, Akim Oda and Juaso Forest Districts were deployed at about 1:30 a.m. to tackle illegal mining activities within the protected forest.
The team targeted Compartments 61 and 62 of the Atewa Forest Reserve, where they reportedly encountered a group of people actively engaged in mining activities.
Twelve suspects were arrested during the operation, while some others managed to escape into the surrounding bush.
The Forestry Commission said the operation also resulted in the seizure of several items believed to have been used in the mining activities. These included five motorbikes, 11 shovels, water hoses, blankets reportedly used in gold-washing activities and three gallons of petrol.
The arrested suspects, together with two of the seized motorbikes and other exhibits, were handed over to the Kyebi District Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The remaining three motorbikes were reportedly retained at the Kyebi District Office of the Forest Services Division for safekeeping.
The Forestry Commission described the operation as successful and said there were no casualties recorded during the exercise. The arrests form part of ongoing efforts by authorities to prevent illegal mining activities from taking place in Ghana’s forest reserves.
The Atewa Range Forest Reserve is considered one of Ghana’s important ecological areas and plays a significant role in the country’s water resources. The forest serves as a source of the Birim, Densu and Ayensu rivers, making its protection important to communities that depend on these water systems.
Illegal mining within forest reserves has remained a major environmental concern in Ghana, with activities contributing to the degradation of forests, destruction of vegetation and threats to water resources.
The latest operation therefore highlights the continued enforcement efforts by the Forestry Commission as authorities intensify the fight against galamsey in environmentally sensitive areas.
The Commission has indicated that it will continue monitoring and enforcement operations against individuals who enter protected forest areas to engage in illegal mining.
The arrests are expected to send another warning to people involved in illegal mining that forest reserves remain protected areas and that enforcement agencies will continue to take action against unauthorised activities.
The 12 suspects are now expected to face further investigation as the police process the case and the relevant authorities determine the appropriate legal action.
Source: Thepressradio.com
