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.
