Forestry Commission Arrests 12 Suspected Illegal Miners in Atewa Forest
The dawn operation in the protected reserve led to the arrest of 12 suspected illegal miners and the seizure of motorbikes, mining tools and other equipment.
- 12 suspected illegal miners arrested in Atewa Forest.
- Five motorbikes and mining equipment seized.
- Suspects handed over to Kyebi Police for investigation.
The Forestry Commission has arrested 12 suspected illegal miners during a dawn operation in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve in the Eastern Region.
The operation, conducted on September 4, 2026, by the Commission’s Rapid Response Unit (RRU), targeted illegal mining activities around the Sagyimase community in Compartments 61 and 62 of the Kyebi Forest District.
A 17-member team drawn from the Assin Fosu, Akim Oda and Juaso Forest Districts was deployed at about 1:30 a.m. as part of a covert operation to disrupt illegal mining activities within the protected reserve.
The team reportedly found a group of miners actively working at the site. While 12 suspects were arrested, others managed to escape into the surrounding bush.
The operation also led to the seizure of five motorbikes, 11 shovels, water hoses, blankets used for washing gold and three gallons of petrol.
The seized motorbikes comprised three Royal motorbikes, one Apsonic Aloba and one Apsonic Paul Sport.
The Forestry Commission said the 12 suspects, along with two of the seized 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 ended without casualties and forms part of ongoing efforts to prevent illegal miners from operating within Ghana’s protected forest reserves.
The latest arrests come amid growing concerns over illegal mining activities threatening the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, a major biodiversity hotspot and important watershed.
The reserve serves as the headwaters of the Birim, Densu and Ayensu rivers, which provide water to millions of people, including communities in and around Accra.
The Forestry Commission has therefore vowed to intensify enforcement operations to flush out illegal miners who continue to encroach on protected forest reserves and safeguard Ghana’s forests, water resources and biodiversity.
