A joint security operation has resulted in a major crackdown on illegal mining activities in the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Enchi Forest District of the Western North Region.
The operation, carried out by the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) of the Forestry Commission (FC) and 30 military personnel, led to the seizure of 10 excavators and a bulldozer, along with the arrest of four suspects.
The raid, which took place on Sunday, March 9, 2025, targeted Compartments 17 and 20 of the reserve, a known hotspot for illegal mining.
This enforcement action follows an earlier operation on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, when staff from the Forest Services Division (FSD) of the FC and the RRU stormed the reserve in response to a tip-off.
During that operation, 12 excavators were removed from the area, but no arrests were made as the illegal miners, reportedly armed, outnumbered the team.
Authorities had been closely monitoring the situation after receiving intelligence that the miners were planning to return.
On Thursday, March 6, 2025, security personnel were deployed to the forest to prevent re-entry. However, on Saturday, March 8, 2025, another tip-off revealed that the miners had returned, this time in larger numbers and armed, resisting efforts to remove their equipment.
Determined to enforce the law, the joint security team mounted a fresh operation, successfully arresting the suspects and seizing the heavy machinery.
The confiscated equipment is currently being transported to the Enchi District Assembly premises, while a formal complaint has been lodged with the Enchi District Police Command.
This latest raid highlights the government’s intensified efforts to combat illegal mining, which continues to threaten Ghana’s forest reserves and ecosystems.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to clamping down on galamsey operations and protecting the country’s natural resources.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
