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Twelve illegal miners working in the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Western North Region have been taken into custody by the Forestry Commission’s Rapid Response and District Monitoring Teams in the Enchi Forest District.
Three Chinese nationals and nine Ghanaians were arrested as a result of the March 11, 2025, operation. Additionally, the team confiscated two gold detectors and one excavator from the reserve’s Compartments 17 and 63.
The Ghanaian suspects were involved in “dig and wash” operations in Compartment 63, while the Chinese suspects were discovered using an excavator for illicit mining in Compartment 17, according to a statement from the Forestry Commission’s Public Affairs Unit that was copied to the Ghana News Agency.
The names of the Chinese suspects are Lengtar, 45; Yangedon, 40; and Cheng Yung, 48. Among the suspects from Ghana are Tanzon Mark, 20, Bonye George, 20, Joseph Ayoo, 23, and Yaw Timothy, 20. Kofi Salifu, 23, Legosie Francis, 20, Justin Dakora, 20, Bismark Lebesue, 23, and Boye Bedua, 26 make up the remaining group.
The suspects were turned over to the Enchi District Police Command for further investigation and prosecution after their arrest.
In the meantime, plans are on to relocate the confiscated excavator from the reserve to the Enchi Municipal Assembly’s grounds for safekeeping.
Speaking on the subject, the Forestry Commission’s District Manager, Joseph Appiah Frimpong, reiterated the Commission’s resolve to combat illicit logging and mining in the country’s forest reserves.
“The Forestry Commission will not relent in its efforts to combat illegal activities in our forest reserves. I want to caution illegal operators to be mindful of their actions, as the Commission will be relentless in pursuing them. Those found guilty in court could face imprisonment, a fine, or both,” he cautioned.
Illegal miners have recently attacked the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve on a regular basis. On March 9, 2025, two days prior to the most recent operation, the Forestry Commission, accompanied by 30 military forces, assaulted the reserve and confiscated a pump-action rifle, one bulldozer, and eight excavators from Compartments 17 and 20.
To ensure the preservation of these essential natural resources, authorities say they will keep stepping up their efforts to stop illicit mining in Ghana’s forest reserves.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
