WASSA ESSAMAN, Western Region — The Western Regional Forestry Commission has vowed to sustain its crackdown on illegal mining in forest reserves, with Regional Manager Nana Opoku Bosompem warning that authorities will not tolerate activities that threaten protected forest lands.
The warning follows an enforcement operation at the Subri River Forest Reserve, which resulted in the arrest of 26 suspects as authorities intensified efforts to curb illegal mining and protect the region’s forest resources.
Mr Bosompem said illegal miners had established a strong presence in parts of the reserve, making it increasingly difficult for forestry officers to access and protect the area. He described the situation as a serious threat to forest conservation and the safety of personnel tasked with enforcing environmental laws.
According to the Commission, the recent operation in the Wassa Essaman area exposed the scale of human activity within the reserve, with vehicles, motorbikes, tricycles and mining equipment found at the site.
Aerial footage from the operation reportedly showed vehicles gathered in numbers comparable to those at the Tema Port, highlighting the extent of the invasion of the protected forest.
The Western Region has 19 forest reserves covering more than 209,000 acres. Seven of these reserves have reportedly been affected by illegal mining, with more than 1,533 hectares of forest land said to have suffered damage.
Between January and September, forestry officers burnt 1,103 changfan machines and destroyed 1,422 industrial pumping machines across the region as part of sustained efforts to disrupt illegal mining operations.
The Commission also reported destroying 387 makeshift structures erected within affected forest reserves to prevent miners from using them as operational bases.
Despite these enforcement measures, Mr Bosompem expressed concern that illegal miners continued to replace equipment destroyed during operations, undermining efforts to eliminate the practice.
“We have been burning these changfan machines, but some way, somehow, the people find a means to keep bringing them into the forest,” he said.
He indicated that the situation had developed beyond an environmental concern into a security challenge for forestry personnel working to protect the reserves.
Some mining enclaves have reportedly become difficult to access, forcing officers to navigate thick vegetation to avoid detection. Barriers erected by miners and their associates have also complicated enforcement operations.
During the latest raid, a team of fewer than 80 officers reportedly encountered thousands of people within the forest. Twenty-six suspects were arrested, but the Commission said a mob pursued officers transporting the suspects to a police station.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of personnel involved in the operations and the difficulties authorities face in enforcing environmental laws in areas affected by illegal mining.
“In the last three months, a portion of the Subri River Forest Reserve, at the Wassa Essaman area, has been a no-go area for us,” Mr Bosompem said.
The Commission’s enforcement records further show that 159 suspects were arrested in connection with illegal mining across the Western Region between January and September, while 36 cases were reportedly before the Circuit Court in Takoradi.
The figures reflect the scale of the ongoing enforcement campaign and the Commission’s efforts to pursue suspected offenders through the legal system.
However, the continued return of illegal miners after enforcement operations has raised questions about the long-term effectiveness of equipment destruction and arrests without sustained monitoring and prosecution.
Environmental protection advocates have consistently warned that illegal mining can lead to forest degradation, water pollution, biodiversity loss and the destruction of natural habitats. Continued mining in protected areas could also undermine efforts to preserve Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.
The Forestry Commission’s renewed stance signals its determination to intensify efforts to protect the region’s forest reserves. The success of the campaign, however, will depend on sustained surveillance, effective prosecution, adequate resources for officers and cooperation among relevant security agencies and local communities.
The reported destruction of more than 1,100 changfan machines and the arrest of 26 suspects in the latest operation underscore the scale of the challenge confronting authorities as they seek to prevent illegal mining from taking root in protected forest areas.
