Twelve arrested in major crackdown on illegal mining at Bosomtwe Forest Reserve

Authorities have intensified efforts to combat illegal mining in Ghana's protected forests, with twelve suspected illegal miners remanded into police custody following a coordinated enforcement operation at the Bosomtwe Range Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region. The two-day operation, conducted by the Bekwai Forest District of the Forestry Commission on July 31 and August 1, resulted in significant seizures of equipment and the arrest of multiple suspects engaged in unauthorised mining activities.

The enforcement team targeted compartments 1, 10 and 12 within the reserve, areas that have reportedly become hotspots for illegal mining. During the operation, officers immobilised a fully operational excavator and confiscated an array of mining equipment, including a tricycle, seven changfan machines, 21 water pumping machines, two power plants, two generators and an air blower. The scale of seized equipment suggests an organised operation rather than ad-hoc illegal mining.

The twelve arrested individuals — Abu Naa, Adakwa Mathew, John Tibootey, Nurudeen Issah, Henry Peter, Ruth Agbenyo, Anthony Amadi, Sesi Mclean, Benjamin Owusu, Richard Atta, Sumaila Mohammed and Abel Nti — were arraigned before the Bekwai Circuit Court. His Honour Isaac Apeatu remanded all accused persons into police custody, with court appearances scheduled for August 11 and 12, 2026. Notably, one Abena Ahenkan, believed to lead one of the illegal mining groups, managed to escape during the operation and remains at large.

Ongoing threat to Ghana's forest reserves

Illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, continues to pose a severe threat to Ghana's environmental and natural resources. The Bosomtwe Range Forest Reserve is a protected area of ecological significance, and unauthorised mining operations can cause widespread damage to soil, water systems and biodiversity. The equipment seized in this operation — particularly the water pumping machines and generators — indicates operations designed for large-scale extraction rather than small-scale activity.

The Forestry Commission has reaffirmed its determination to protect Ghana's forest reserves, signalling that enforcement operations will continue with renewed intensity. The agency's message is clear: those whose activities threaten the country's forests and natural resources will face legal consequences.

Why it matters for Ghana

Illegal mining represents one of Ghana's most pressing environmental crises. Beyond immediate forest destruction, galamsey operations contaminate water sources, poison agricultural land and displace farming communities. The arrest and prosecution of suspected illegal miners sends an important signal about government commitment to enforcement, though experts argue that sustained action, stronger penalties and community engagement are essential to curb the practice.

The involvement of what appears to be an organised group — evidenced by the scale of equipment and the alleged leadership structure — suggests that tackling illegal mining requires addressing both individual perpetrators and larger criminal networks. The escape of Abena Ahenkan underscores the operational challenges enforcement teams face.

As Ghana balances economic pressures with environmental protection, cases like the Bosomtwe operation demonstrate the ongoing battle between authorities and those seeking quick profits from the country's mineral resources at significant environmental cost.