The Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Western Region has been plagued by illegal mining activities for some time now. The legal concession owner of the forest has joined forces with the Forestry Commission to drive out armed criminals who have set up illegal mining operations within the reserve.
During the operation, fifteen excavators were seized as the illegal miners fled into the forest. However, the raid was not without its challenges and controversies. Armed policemen from the Enchi District and Divisional Police Commands clashed with the team comprised of soldiers and the Forestry Commission’s Rapid Response Team, questioning the legitimacy of their operations in the forest. After a heated exchange, the police eventually left the scene.
There was further controversy when the Western North Regional Minister intervened, instructing the taskforce to stop moving the seized equipment out of the forest as he claimed he had not been informed of the operation. This move emboldened some of the illegal miners to attempt to retrieve their equipment, causing tension within the operation.
The raid was temporarily halted following a purported order from the Second-in-Command of the 2nd Battalion, instructing the team to stop seizing equipment that had been moved out of the forest. However, the 2IC later clarified that he had not issued such an order, and the team was instructed to resume their duties.
The Tano Anwia Forest Reserve has been under siege by illegal mining activities, with more armed groups joining the fray this year. Previous attempts to flush out the illegal miners have been marred by allegations of corruption and vested interests.
The Enchi Divisional Police Commander and District Commander were involved in the operation with the approval of the sector minister. Captain Tetteh led the initial operation, during which 25 excavators were tracked out of the reserve and seized. Footage showed the excavators being used for mining in the forest, and additional excavators were pulled out following a tip-off.
The armed police attempted to confront the illegal miners and make arrests, but the miners managed to prevent the seizure of 25 excavators that had been removed from the forest. The raid into the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve is now entering its fourth day, as efforts continue to rid the forest of illegal mining activities.
