A/R Armed Illegal miners ‘Galamseyers’ besiege offin forest reserve in Ashanti region, Forestry commission hits back (Video)
In a dramatic escalation of tensions over illegal mining, a group of armed “Galamseyers besieged the Offin Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region, triggering a fierce clash with the Forestry Commission’s security personnel. The confrontation, which has left several individuals injured and led to heightened security concerns, underscores the increasing lawlessness surrounding illegal mining activities in the country’s vital forest reserves.
The Offin Forest Reserve, a protected area in the heart of Ghana’s Ashanti Region, has long been under threat from illegal miners, or “Galamseyers,” who seek to exploit its rich mineral deposits. However, recent events have marked a disturbing turn as these miners have resorted to increasingly violent means to protect their illicit operations. Armed with weapons, including machetes and firearms, the illegal miners confronted forestry officials in a tense standoff, demanding that they cease their efforts to dismantle mining operations within the reserve.
The situation quickly escalated as Forestry Commission security officers, along with support from law enforcement, moved in to evict the illegal miners and restore order to the reserve. Tensions flared when the miners resisted eviction, leading to a violent confrontation. Gunshots were reportedly exchanged, and several individuals — both miners and security officers — sustained injuries during the clash. While the extent of the injuries has not been fully disclosed, local sources have confirmed that the confrontation was a significant and violent one.
In the aftermath of the clash, authorities have vowed to intensify efforts to root out illegal mining activities in the area, despite the risks posed by armed resistance. The Forestry Commission has stated that its mission to protect the Offin Forest Reserve and other critical ecological zones from the ravages of illegal mining will continue, regardless of the opposition faced.
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