Twelve persons who were caught mining illegally in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, located at Kyebi in the Eastern Region, have been arrested and handed over to the Kyebi District Police Command for prosecution.
The Rapid Response Team (RRT) of the Forestry Commission arrested the illegal miners, whose ages range from 18 to 32, in an intelligence-led dawn swoop last Friday (September 4).
The operation was carried out around the Sagyimase community, in Compartments 61 and 62 of the Atewa Forest Reserve, classified as a Globally Significant Biodiversity Area (GSBA).
A joint operations report from the Corporate Affairs and Media Relations unit of the Forestry Commission explained that a 17-member team drawn from the Assin Fosu, Akim Oda and Juaso Forest districts were deployed at 1:30 a.m. to clamp down on the illegal mining activities in the reserve.
"Upon reaching the site, the team encountered a group of illegal miners actively working; 12 suspects were apprehended, while others escaped into the adjoining bush," the report stated.
Suspects
The report gave the names of the suspects 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; Sanoma Emmanuel (21) from Dormaa Ahenkro; and Abugart Daniel (18) from Garu.
The rest are Apam Kwesi (32) from Binduri; Affum Gideon (25), Adu Richmond (21) and Isaac Ababio (20), all from Adukrom, and Abass Osuman (32) from Tamale.
In addition, the RRT retrieved items such as five motorbikes - comprising three Royal motorbikes, one Apsonic Aloba and one Apsonic Paul Sport; eleven shovels, water hoses, blankets used for washing gold, and three gallons of petrol.
The Forestry Commission said the 12 suspects, together with two motorbikes and other exhibits, had been handed over to the Kyebi District Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.
"The remaining three motorbikes have been retained at the Kyebi District Office of the Forest Services Division (FSD) for safekeeping," the Commission added.
Sustain efforts
Describing the operation as "largely successful without casualties", the Commission said it would not rest on its oars until the country's forest reserves were free from galamsey.
The Commission stressed that the arrest of the 12 and seizure of items would serve as a deterrent to persons who continued to invade forest reserves for illegal mining.
The Atewa Range Forest Reserve is one of Ghana's most important biodiversity hotspots and a critical watershed.
It serves as the headwaters for three major rivers - the Birim, Densu and Ayensu - which provide drinking water for millions of Ghanaians, including residents of Accra and surrounding communities.
The reserve has come under intense pressure in recent years from illegal mining and logging activities, threatening the country's water security.
