Five Nigerien nationals have been arrested for engaging in illegal mining activities in the Atewa Forest Reserve near Kwabeng in the Eastern Region.
The suspects have been identified as Ali Ibrahim, Hama Jibuo, Abubakari Ali, Bailu Aliu, and Farouk Ali.
Ivy Amoako Agyemang, Range Manageress of the Akyem Anyinam and Kwabeng District Forestry range received information at dawn on September 17, 2025, that some illegal miners had invaded a section of the forest reserve at Akyem Bomaa.
She subsequently mobilized a team of forest guards to the site, where the suspects were ambushed and found busily mining with head pans, shovels, washing carpets, and water pumping machines.
The team managed to arrest the five suspects while their accomplices fled the scene.
The suspects were handed over to the Eastern South Regional Police CID in Kibi together with the mining equipment retrieved.
During interrogation, the suspects admitted through an interpreter that they were indeed engaged in mining in the forest reserve.
They have since been charged and will be arraigned before a court.
Source: www.kumasimail.com /Obed Ansah
