RRT arrest 24 illegal miners in Atewa Forest raid

RRT operation in Atewa forest yields 24 arrests. A coordinated dawn operation by the Rapid Response Teams (RRT) on Monday, April 28, resulted in the apprehension of 24 individuals suspected of engaging in illegal mining within the Atewa Range Forest in the Eastern Region.

The operation commenced at approximately 3:30 a.m. in Sagyimase, a community adjacent to the forest reserve, and involved 30 RRT personnel from six teams nationwide. The objective of the operation was to eradicate illegal mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey.

Key Outcomes of the Operation:

- Arrests:24 suspects were apprehended and are currently being processed at the Kyebi District Office before being handed over to the Ghana Police Service. Several other suspects managed to escape into the dense forest during the raid.

- Destruction of Equipment:To prevent immediate re-entry, security personnel destroyed various tools of the trade. Sixteen water pumping machines were burnt, and 52 makeshift poly-sheet tents used as operational camps were set ablaze.

- Seizures:Two additional water pumping machines were seized and transported to the district office to be used as exhibits in the upcoming investigation. Environmental Significance

The Atewa Range Forest is one of Ghana's most critical and sensitive ecological zones, serving as a vital watershed for major rivers that provide water to millions of people, including parts of Accra.Environmental advocacy groups, such as A Rocha Ghana, have long campaigned against both illegalgalamseyand proposed legal mining in the area, citing irreversible threats to biodiversity and water security.

This latest operation reflects the ongoing efforts of the Forestry Commission and the National Anti-Illegal Mining task forces to combat the persistent encroachment on protected forest reserves, which continues to threaten Ghana's natural resources despite repeated enforcement actions.