Forestry Commission Poised to Protect Forest Reserves from Illegal Mining Activities

Nana Poku Bosompem, Western Regional Manager of the FC, said the Commission was determined to reclaim and protect all forest reserves from illegal miners.

“The days of frustrating forest officers are over, we are going to unleash the full force of the state and that of the Forestry Commission in the coming days, and we are never going to cede even one square metre of our forest reserves to illegal miners,” he stated.

Mr Bosompem made the remarks at a news conference in Takoradi, where he provided an update on anti-galamsey operations in the region at the end of the third quarter of 2026.

He said the Western Region has 19 forest reserves covering a total land area of 209,333 hectares. However, seven of the reserves have been affected by illegal mining activities, resulting in the destruction of an estimated 1,533 hectares of forest land.

According to him, intensified enforcement actions by personnel of the FSD between January and September 2026 led to 36 illegal mining cases being placed under police investigation, with 159 suspects arrested during sustained operations within forest reserves.

Mr Bosompem announced that 1,103 changfang machines and 1,422 water-pumping machines were seized and destroyed during the operations.

In addition, 51 motorcycles and three excavators were demobilised, while 387 makeshift structures used by illegal miners were dismantled.

“We go and flash them out and destroy their equipment, move to the next reserve, and they keep coming back, there are cases where some of them are armed and even restrict forestry officers from accessing some reserves,” he stated.

Mr Bosompem cautioned individuals engaged in illegal mining within forest reserves to desist or face intensified enforcement measures.

He warned that what awaited persistent offenders “will be a disaster of epic proportions in the coming days.”