A joint operation by the Rapid Response and District Monitoring Teams of the Forestry Commission (FC) in the Enchi Forest District has led to the arrest of 12 illegal miners and the seizure of an excavator and two gold detector machines in the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve of the Western Region.

The operation, carried out on March 11, 2025, targeted Compartments 17 and 63 of the forest reserve, which has been under intense illegal mining activities in recent times.

Among the arrested individuals were three Chinese nationals, identified as:

Cheng Yung, 48 Yangedon, 40 Lengtar, 45

They were allegedly using an excavator for illegal mining, commonly referred to as "galamsey", in Compartment 17 of the reserve.

Additionally, nine Ghanaian suspects were arrested while engaging in “dig and wash” activities in Compartment 63.

They include:

Yaw Timothy, 20 Bonye George, 20 Joseph Ayoo, 23 Tanzon Mark, 20 Kofi Salifu, 23 Legosie Francis, 20 Justin Dakora, 20 Bismark Lebesue, 23 Boye Bedua, 26

The suspects have been handed over to the Enchi District Police Command for further investigations and prosecution.

Meanwhile, the Forestry Commission is making arrangements to move the seized excavator to the Enchi Municipal Assembly premises for safekeeping.

This latest operation follows a similar exercise carried out on March 9, 2025, when the Forestry Commission, in collaboration with 30 military personnel, stormed the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve and seized eight excavators, one bulldozer, and a pump-action rifle in Compartments 17 and 20.

Commenting on the arrests, the Enchi Forest District Manager, Mr. Joseph Appiah Frimpong, reiterated the Forestry Commission’s commitment to fighting illegal mining and logging in Ghana’s forest reserves.

“The Forestry Commission will not relent in its efforts to protect our natural resources.

I want to caution illegal miners and loggers to desist from these activities, as the Commission will remain relentless in pursuing them,” Mr. Frimpong warned.

He further emphasized that those caught engaging in illegal mining could face imprisonment, fines, or both if found guilty in court.

The Tano Anwia Forest Reserve remains a high-risk area for illegal mining, and authorities have vowed to intensify their operations to safeguard the environment from further degradation.