In a major crackdown on illegal mining operations, the military has demolished a concealed settlement in Ghana’s Western Region, reportedly housing more than 10,000 individuals.
The community, known as Abrewa Ne Nkran, was not recognised in any official national records and lacked essential social infrastructure.
Authorities revealed that the settlement was established by a mix of Ghanaian citizens and foreign nationals primarily engaged in illegal gold mining—popularly known as galamsey—within protected forest reserves.
Beyond its mining activities, the area had also become a hub for various illicit activities, including human trafficking, child exploitation, prostitution, and money laundering.
Investigations suggest that a significant number of the residents were from neighbouring West African countries, all actively involved in the illegal mining economy.
Security sources indicate that the operation is part of a broader national effort to curb environmental degradation and clamp down on organised crime associated with galamsey.