21 Suspected Illegal Miners Arrested in Yakombo Forest Reserve During Major Crackdown

The Forestry Commission has successfully carried out a significant enforcement operation that led to the arrest of 21 individuals involved in illegal mining within the Yakombo Forest Reserve in the Savannah Region. The detainees include 11 Chinese nationals and 10 Ghanaian citizens who were found actively engaging in mining activities that violated both environmental and forestry regulations.

The operation, executed by guards from the Buipe and Bole Forest Districts in collaboration with three Rapid Response Units, targeted hotspots within Compartments 50 and 51 of the heavily affected reserve. These compartments lie near Tuntumba in the Bole-Bamboi District, a known illegal mining corridor.

According to officials, the raid followed weeks of monitoring and intelligence gathering, which indicated increased illegal mining activity causing severe land degradation, destruction of vegetation, and contamination of water bodies. Environmental experts have long warned that the Yakombo Reserve—covering over 1,200 square kilometers—is increasingly threatened by human-induced pressures.

During the operation, the team seized various machinery and vehicles believed to have been used in the mining activity. These included a Toyota Hilux pickup, multiple Great Wall pickups, three Howo tipper trucks, and a low-bed truck transporting an excavator. The equipment is currently secured at Mole National Park under the supervision of the Wildlife Division.

Preliminary reports suggest that the suspects were operating without any form of authorization. The illegal mining pits discovered at the site were deep, hazardous, and posed serious ecological risks to plant and animal life within the reserve.

The arrested individuals have been transferred to the Damongo Regional Police Command, where further investigations and legal processes are underway. Prosecutors indicated that the suspects could face charges related to illegal mining operations, environmental destruction, and breach of forestry laws.

The Forestry Commission, in a statement, reaffirmed its commitment to combating illegal mining activities across all protected areas. Officials stressed that the operation in Yakombo forms part of a coordinated national plan to clamp down on activities that endanger Ghana’s forest reserves and wildlife habitats.

Environmental analysts believe this latest crackdown underscores the urgent need for sustained enforcement, community collaboration, and strict penalties to deter future offenders. Many call for long-term strategies, including community sensitization and alternative livelihood programs, to reduce dependency on destructive mining practices.

The Yakombo Forest Reserve remains one of the country’s most ecologically important areas, supporting diverse flora and fauna. Authorities hope that intensified operations and stronger legal measures will help preserve the reserve for future generations.