258 illegal miners arrested in forest reserves in six months-Armah Kofi Buah

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has announced that intensified operations against illegal mining in forest reserves have led to the arrest of 258 suspects within the first six months of the year.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series, the Minister said the Ministry, in collaboration with the Forestry Commission and other stakeholders, had stepped up enforcement to protect the country’s forest reserves from illegal mining activities.

He disclosed that the operations resulted in the demobilisation of six excavators, the seizure of 1,225 pumping machines and the demobilisation of 765 chamfer machines.

According to him, enforcement teams also destroyed 35 tricycles, seized 212 motorbikes, demolished 430 illegal structures and confiscated 40 gold detectors, all within forest reserves.

Mr. Buah said the achievements reflected government’s determination to safeguard the nation’s forests and curb illegal mining.

He added that there were currently no “red zones” within the country’s forest reserves, describing it as evidence that government, with the support of the Forestry Commission, had firmly brought the forest reserves under control.

“We have not had any red zone, which means that government, supporting the Forestry Commission, is firmly in control of our forests,” the Minister stated.

The Government Accountability Series provides ministers with a platform to account for the performance and achievements of their respective sectors.