Galamsey: Forestry Commission Arrests 11 Chinese, 10 Ghanaians in Yakombo Forest
Forestry Commission Conducts Intelligence-Led Operation Against Illegal Mining
- 21 suspects arrested
- Heavy equipment seized
- Suspects handed to Damongo Police
The Forestry Commission has apprehended 11 Chinese nationals and 10 Ghanaians in a major intelligence-led operation targeting illegal mining (galamsey) at the Yakombo Forest Reserve in the Buipe Forest District, Savannah Region.
The operation, conducted on December 2, involved 51 personnel from the Forestry Commission, including forest guards from Buipe and Bole District offices, supported by three Rapid Response teams.
The suspects were arrested in Compartments 50 and 51 of the reserve near Tuntumba in the Bole-Bamboi District. Among the Chinese nationals detained were Tang Shao Qi (28), He Peng (40), Zhou Qin Sar (25), Wu Xu (39), He Chuang Ye (45), Cheng Lin (40), Long Xi (32), Yang Gesheng (51), Zhang Hongzhaojie (34), Zhou Peng (39), and Wu Yujie (24).
The Ghanaians arrested include Alhassan Yakubu, Daniel Mba (33), Pious Kwabena (20), Emmanuel Amankra (40), Seidu Suleman (44), Sampson Akawuni (22), Thadeus Gideon (27), Mohammed Salim (21), Mohammed Kanamu (25), and Saaka Yakubu (22).
The raid also led to the seizure of vehicles and heavy-duty equipment, including a Toyota Hilux, two Great Wall pick-ups, three Howo tipper trucks, and a Man Diesel low-bed truck transporting an excavator.
All suspects have been handed over to the Damongo Regional Police for investigations and prosecution, while the confiscated equipment is now stored at the Mole National Park under the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission.
The Yakombo Forest Reserve, established in 1974, is Ghana’s largest, covering approximately 1,210 km², making the operation a significant step in the fight against illegal mining in the country.
