In a bold move to combat illegal mining, a combined team of the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) of the Forestry Commission (FC) and 30 military personnel raided the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Enchi Forest District of the Western North Region. Apexnewsgh.com
The operation, which took place on Sunday, March 9, 2025, resulted in the seizure of nine excavators, one bulldozer, and the arrest of four individuals engaged in illegal mining.
This decisive action followed a series of previous operations aimed at stopping illegal mining activities in the forest reserve. On March 4, 2025, a team from the Forest Services Division (FSD) of the FC, along with the RRU, stormed the reserve after receiving a tip-off about illegal mining. Although they successfully drove out 12 excavators, they were unable to make any arrests due to the miners being heavily armed and outnumbering them.
Undeterred, the team re-entered the reserve on March 6, 2025, to prevent the miners from returning. However, on March 8, 2025, the miners regrouped and re-entered the reserve, overpowering the enforcement team once again. This led to widespread public concern, with videos and images of the illegal mining activities circulating on social media.
In response, a joint team comprising the military and the RRU was deployed for a full-scale operation. The team successfully arrested four illegal miners and seized nine excavators and a bulldozer.
The confiscated equipment is being transported to the Enchi District Assembly premises, and the Forestry Commission has lodged a formal complaint with the Enchi District Police Command for further investigations and legal action.
The government has reiterated its commitment to protecting Ghana’s forest reserves and has warned illegal miners against encroaching on protected lands. The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, emphasized the government’s firm stance against illegal mining, stating that they will not relent until every inch of the forest reserve is safeguarded.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
