Forestry Commission arrests 21 for illegal mining in Yakombo Forest

The Forestry Commission has arrested eleven Chinese nationals and ten Ghanaians in a major crackdown on illegal mining in the Yakombo Forest Reserve, located in the Buipe Forest District of the Savannah Region.

The operation, conducted on Tuesday, December 2, involved a 51-member team of forest guards from the Buipe and Bole Forest Districts, supported by three Rapid Response units.

The team targeted illegal mining in Compartments 50 and 51 of the reserve, near Tuntumba in the Bole-Bamboi District.

The Yakombo Forest Reserve, established in 1974 and covering approximately 1,210 square kilometres, is Ghana’s largest forest reserve. Officials described the recent intrusion as a serious threat to its ecological balance.

Forestry Commission spokesperson Kwame Asare told reporters, “This operation demonstrates our commitment to protecting Ghana’s forests and holding those who violate environmental laws accountable”.

The Chinese nationals arrested include Tang Shao Qi, He Peng, Zhou Qin Sar, Wu Xu, He Chuang Ye, Cheng Lin, Long Xi, Yang Gesheng, Zhang Hongzhaojie, Zhou Peng, and Wu Yujie.

The Ghanaians are Alhassan Yakubu, Daniel Mba, Pious Kwabena, Emmanuel Amankra, Seidu Suleman, Sampson Akawuni, Thadeus Gideon, Mohammed Salim, Mohammed Kanamu, and Saaka Yakubu.

Authorities also seized several vehicles and mining equipment, including a Toyota Hilux, two Great Wall pick-ups, three Howo tipper trucks, and a Man Diesel low-bed truck carrying an excavator.

All suspects were transferred to the Damongo Regional Police Command for investigation, while the confiscated equipment has been moved to Mole National Park under the Wildlife Division’s care.