The Forestry Commission’s Rapid Response Unit (RRU) has arrested 12 persons suspected of engaging in illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve.
The arrests were made during a joint covert operation conducted at dawn on Thursday, September 3, 2026, near the Sagyimase community in Compartments 61 and 62 of the Atewa Forest Reserve in the Kyebi Forest District.
A statement issued by the Public Affairs Department of the Forestry Commission and copied to the Ghana News Agency said 17 personnel from the Assin Fosu, Akim Oda and Juaso Forest Districts were deployed at about 0130 hours to clamp down on illegal mining activities within the reserve.
According to the statement, the team encountered a group of miners actively engaged in illegal mining upon reaching the site.
It said 12 suspects were arrested, while several others escaped into the adjoining bush.
The suspects were identified as Pagase Lord, 18, from Paga; Kwabena Joe, 25, from Binprugu; Zinivi Kofi, 22, from Wa; Michael Owusu, 21, from Dambai; Narh Joseph, 24, from Asamankese; and Sanoma Emmanuel, 21, from Dormaa Ahenkro.
The others are Abugart Daniel, 18, from Garu; Apam Kwesi, 32, from Binduri; Affum Gideon, 25; Adu Richmond, 21; Isaac Ababio, 20, all from Adukrom; and Abass Osuman, 32, from Tamale.
The operation resulted in the seizure of five motorbikes, comprising three Royal motorbikes, one Apsonic Aloba and one Apsonic Paul Sport motorbike.
Other items retrieved from the site included 11 shovels, water hoses, blankets allegedly used for washing gold, and three gallons of petrol.
The statement said all the suspects, together with two of the seized motorbikes and other exhibits, had been handed over to the Kyebi District Police Command for further investigations and possible prosecution.
It said the remaining three motorbikes had been retained at the Kyebi District Office of the Forest Services Division for safekeeping.
The Forestry Commission described the operation as successful and without casualties, adding that the arrests and seizure of equipment were intended to deter individuals involved in illegal mining activities in protected forest areas.
The Atewa Range Forest Reserve is one of Ghana’s important biodiversity hotspots and a critical watershed.
It serves as the source of the Birim, Densu and Ayensu rivers, which supply water to millions of people, including residents of Accra and surrounding communities.
However, the reserve has come under increasing pressure from illegal mining and logging activities, raising concerns about ecosystem degradation and the potential impact on Ghana’s water security.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to sustaining operations against illegal miners and other persons whose activities threaten the integrity of forest reserves across the country.
GNA
