Military, Forestry Commission Tackle Forest Reserve Mining

 

The Forestry Commission (FC) has successfully cleared illegal miners and armed gangs from seven out of nine forest reserves previously considered inaccessible due to security threats. This achievement follows a series of operations conducted over the past three weeks in collaboration with the Ministries of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) and Defence.

A statement from the FC, signed by Acting Chief Executive Hugh C. A. Brown, highlighted that the operations took place in the Ashanti, Western North, and Western Regions. The enforcement efforts led to the arrest of 71 individuals involved in illegal mining within forest reserves. These suspects have since been handed over to the police for prosecution.

In addition to the arrests, security forces seized a significant amount of equipment used in illegal mining activities, including 55 excavators, three bulldozers, three pick-up trucks, four pump-action rifles, 11 motorbikes, and other mining tools.

The FC emphasized that while the fight against illegal mining is far from over, the latest operations demonstrate real progress in reclaiming Ghana’s protected forests. The Commission assured the public that it remains committed to monitoring illegal mining hotspots and taking swift action to prevent further environmental destruction.

“We assure the good people of Ghana that the FC and MLNR are fully committed to working with all stakeholders to protect our forests and natural resources for future generations,” the statement concluded.

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