The Forestry Commission has delivered a major blow to the galamsey menace after arresting 21 individuals, 11 Chinese nationals and 10 Ghanaians, during a high-intensity, intelligence-led operation inside the vast Yakombo Forest Reserve in the Savannah Region.
The raid, carried out on December 2, mobilized a powerful joint force of 51 personnel, including forest guards from the Buipe and Bole District offices, supported by three Rapid Response teams. Their coordinated action led to the capture of the suspects within Compartments 50 and 51 of the reserve, close to Tuntumba in the Bole-Bamboi District.
Those arrested include Chinese nationals Tang Shao Qi (28), He Peng (40), Zhou Qin Sar (25), Wu Xu (39), He Chuang Ye (45), Cheng Lin (40), Long Xi (32), Yang Gesheng (51), Zhang Hongzhaojie (34), Zhou Peng (39), and Wu Yujie (24).
The Ghanaian suspects are Alhassan Yakubu, Daniel Mba (33), Pious Kwabena (20), Emmanuel Amankra (40), Seidu Suleman (44), Sampson Akawuni (22), Thadeus Gideon (27), Mohammed Salim (21), Mohammed Kanamu (25), and Saaka Yakubu (22).
The operation also uncovered and seized an array of vehicles and heavy equipment believed to be aiding illegal mining activities. Among them were a Toyota Hilux, two Great Wall pick-ups, three Howo tipper trucks, and a Man Diesel low-bed truck carrying an excavator. All equipment has been safely transferred to Mole National Park under the supervision of the Wildlife Division.
The suspects have since been handed over to the Damongo Regional Police Command for further investigations and prosecution.
The Yakombo Forest Reserve, Ghana’s largest, stretching across an impressive 1,210 km² since its establishment in 1974, remains a vital ecological sanctuary. This successful operation marks a significant advancement in Ghana’s relentless fight to protect its forests and eradicate illegal mining.