71 Arrested, 55 Excavators Seized in Retrieving Seven Forest Reserves- Forestry Commission
At the end of the successful operation in retrieving seven out of the nine forest reserves that were run by armed gangs, the Forestry Commission says 71 suspected illegal miners have been arrested.
In addition to that, it said mining equipment including 55 excavators, three bulldozers, three pick-up trucks, four pump-action rifles and 11 motorbikes were seized.
These were seized in the operations conducted in the Ashanti, Western North, and Western Regions in the past three weeks.
A statement issued by the Commission on March 21, 2025, said frantic efforts led to the successful operations done through the collaborative efforts of the Ministries of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) | and Defence.
“These accomplishments, achieved within a short timeframe, reflect the significant effort and resources invested in this fight. The FC and MLNR acknowledge that the battle against illegal mining is ongoing, but it is crucial to state that these achievements confirm the progress being made as steps toward ultimately winning the fight against these illegal activities.”
It noted that its surveillance of illegal mining hotspots remains active to address emerging issues promptly.
“We assure the good people of Ghana, whose lands and forests have been entrusted to our care, that the FC and MLNR are fully committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure this fight is won.”
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
