Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Akamugri Donatus Atanga, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, led a joint security operation targeting illegal mining activities in the Tilli Forest Reserve, straddling the Nabdam and Bawku West Districts.
The operation resulted in 73 arrests, including infants, and the seizure of mining equipment following complaints of foreign encroachment into the protected area.
The operation, conducted by a team of police, military, and immigration officers, uncovered air compressors, drilling machines, motorbikes, gold-processing equipment, and personal belongings at multiple sites. Among those detained were 27 Togolese, two Burkinabes, and 41 Ghanaians.
Hon. Akamugri said the raid was prompted by a February 20, 2025, complaint from Naba Sigri Bewong, chief of Sakoti in the Nabdam District, who reported foreign miners invading the reserve during a meeting with the minister.
“Based on that, we had a Regional Security Council (REGSEC) meeting, and we thought it was important for us to follow up to ascertain what the paramount chief said, whether it is true or false,” Hon. Akamugri said. “We have seen that there is some mining in the river itself. Some people are actively mining in the river.”
Miners were operating directly in the Red Volta River and along its banks, with significant tree loss in the reserve attributed to campsites, domestic activities, and underground mining.
The Red Volta, which connects to the White Volta, has suffered environmental damage from the illegal operations, the regional minister said.
“Forest reserves are not places for anyone to engage in any economic activity except for the purpose for which they were reserved. So illegal mining is unacceptable. Any mining is not accepted,” said Hon. Akamugri, emphasizing Ghana’s prohibition on mining in protected forests.
Story by Atungo Iddrisu Kassim /DwumfourNews.Com
