The suspects
The Forestry Commission’s Rapid Response Unit (RRU) has arrested 12 persons for alleged illegal mining in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve in the Eastern Region.
The suspects were arrested during a dawn operation on Friday, September 4, 2026, around the Sagyimase community in Compartments 61 and 62 of the reserve within the Kyebi Forest District.
According to the Commission, 17 personnel drawn from the Assin Fosu, Akim Oda and Juaso Forest Districts were deployed at about 1:30 a.m. for the covert operation to clamp down on illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey.
The team met a group of miners actively operating at the site. Twelve suspects were arrested while others escaped into the surrounding bush.
The operation also led to the seizure of five motorbikes – three Royal motorbikes, one Apsonic Aloba and one Apsonic Paul Sport – as well as 11 shovels, water hoses, blankets used for washing gold and three gallons of petrol.
The Forestry Commission said 12 suspects, together with two of the motorbikes and other exhibits, have been handed over to the Kyebi District Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.
The remaining three motorbikes have been kept at the Kyebi District Office of the Forest Services Division for safekeeping.
The Commission said the operation was conducted successfully without casualties and described the arrests and seizure as a deterrent to illegal mining activities within forest reserves.
The Atewa Range Forest Reserve is a major biodiversity hotspot and critical watershed, serving as the headwaters of the Birim, Densu and Ayensu rivers which provide water to millions of people, including residents of Accra.
The reserve has come under increasing pressure from illegal mining and logging, raising concerns over threats to Ghana’s water security and biodiversity.
The Forestry Commission has vowed to sustain operations to flush out illegal miners invading forest reserves.
A Daily Guide Report