The Forestry Commission’s Rapid Response team carried out a successful raid on an illegal mining site, also known as galamsey, within the Subri Forest Reserve near Benso in the Western Region.

The raid led to the arrest of four armed miners who were caught mining in a Globally Significant Biodiversity Area of the forest.

The suspects, all Ghanaians, were identified as Innussah Yussif, Issah Seidu, Shadrack Yowson, and Emmanuel Adawusu. Authorities believe the miners were backed by influential individuals who supported their illegal activities, resulting in significant destruction of the forest as they searched for gold.

During the operation, the team confiscated five pump-action guns, 77 rounds of ammunition, and destroyed three excavators. Other items recovered at the site were handed over to the Takoradi police for further investigation.

The raid is part of an ongoing joint rapid response effort in the Takoradi Forest District, aimed at combating the growing threat of illegal mining, which has devastated large areas of Ghana’s forest reserves.