A joint operation by the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) of the Forestry Commission (FC) and personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces has led to the seizure of nine excavators, one bulldozer and the arrest of four persons suspected to be illegal miners, a source has disclosed to The Ghanaian Times.
The operation was undertaken by the RRU of the Commission and 30 military men in Compartments 17 and 20 in the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Enchi Forest District of the Western North Region on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
Prior to the operation, a government source said on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, operational staff from the Enchi Forest District of the Forest Services Division (FSD) of the Commission together with the RRU upon a tip-off, stormed the Forest Reserve and drove out 12 excavators that were undertaking illegal mining operations.
“The FC team was unable to effect any arrest because they were outnumbered and the miners were armed,” the source said.
Based on intelligence again, the team returned on Thursday, March 6, 2025, and prevented re-entry by the illegal miners.
“On Saturday, March 8, 2025, the team upon a tip-off that the illegal miners had returned to the Reserve, went there to effect arrest but once again, they were outnumbered and the miners were heavily armed and refused to remove the excavators from the Reserve.
“Subsequently, the joint team was dispatched to the Reserve to effect arrest and seize the excavators,” the source stated.
The seized equipment, according to the source, have been evacuated to the Enchi District Assembly premises.
A formal complaint has been made to the Enchi District Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.
The seizures comes on the back of government’s renewed fight against the illegal mining canker which has left forest depleted, swathes of land degraded and water bodies polluted.
It is recalled two weeks ago, a team led by the Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah confiscated 15 excavators along the Offin Shelter Belt at Anwiafutu in Atwima Mponua district in the Ashanti Region.
Assuring the renewed fight against irresponsible mining was not going to be a nine-day wonder, Mr Buah emphasized that perpetrators would be made to face the law.
“This goes to the police officers. This government is strongly behind you to do your job and make sure that you bring perpetrators who are killing us to book without fear nor favour,” he tasked the police.
BY TIMES REPORTER