Ten individuals, comprising seven Ghanaians and three Chinese nationals, have been apprehended for engaging in illegal mining activities that caused extensive damage to the Oda River Forest Reserve in the Amansie Central District of the Ashanti Region.
The Bekwai Forest District, in collaboration with Rapid Response Teams from four other forest districts, conducted a three-day operation between December 6 and 8, 2023.
The initiative is part of the ongoing efforts by the Forestry Commission to combat illegal mining, known as galamsey, within the country’s forest reserves.
During the operation, it was discovered that the illegal miners were operating in seven compartments within the forest reserve, designated as red zones.
Two Toyota Hilux pick-ups (with registration numbers 1265 A and GT 7366-12) and various tools used by the illegal miners were confiscated. Additionally, 10 excavators, 19 fuel tanks, nine power plants, two chanfang machines, four motorbikes, five water pumping machines, and seven wooden structures were immobilized.
Hugh Brown, the Executive Director of the Forest Services Division (FSD) of the Forestry Commission, revealed that legal action has been taken against the suspects.
Seven of them were arraigned before the Bekwai Circuit court on December 7, while the remaining three appeared before the court on December 8. All 10 suspects have been remanded in police custody for one week.
Emphasizing the commitment to combat galamsey, Mr. Brown stressed the need for collaborative efforts from various stakeholders, including the military, chiefs, police, judiciary, media, civil society, and communities near the forests.
He urged residents of mining communities to assist the Forestry Commission by reporting any activities that threaten the country’s forest reserves. In conclusion, Mr. Brown asserted that the battle against illegal mining in forest reserves is crucial and must be won, urging those contributing to the problem to cease their actions.
Background
The 16,000-hectare Oda Forest Reserve in the Amansie Central District in the Ashanti Region, has been under siege by illegal miners for some years now.
Although forest reserves have been declared a red zone to mining activities, galamsey activities are rife in the Oda River Forest and other reserves.
A State of the Nation’s Forest report presented by the Forestry Commission on May 2, this year, revealed that the Oda River Forest Reserve remains one of the boiling pints for galamsey.
According to the report, 421.11 hectares of the forest reserve had been wiped off by illegal miners.
Such is the case with the 3,500-hectare Apamprama forest, where 1,729.32 hectares (49.4 per cent) has been destroyed by illegal miners.
Also, 87.21 hectares of the 2,300-hectare Subin Shelterbelt reserve have been reduced to deep gullies through illegal mining.
The report further indicated that a total of 392,714.81 hectares of the country’s 288 forest reserves had been “significantly impacted” by illegal mining activities, out of which 4,726.26 hectares in 34 of the reserves had been confirmed as destroyed.
Source – citinewsroom.com
