Chairman of the Small Scale Miners Association, Kojo Peprah, has been arrested by the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Anti-Galamsey Taskforce for allegedly interfering with an operation targeting illegal mining in the Desiri Forest Reserve, Ashanti Region.
According to police reports, Peprah confronted the task force during their mission, demanding an explanation for their presence in the forest.
He claimed he had received word that the team had entered a mining site believed to be under his supervision.
Law enforcement officials clarified that small-scale mining licenses do not permit operations within forest reserves, making any such activity unlawful.
The Desiri Forest Reserve has been flagged as the only “red zone” among 44 forests recently identified by the Forestry Commission as hotspots for illegal mining.
“We state clearly that small-scale licenses do not cover forest reserves,” a police spokesperson said. “The presence of miners in Desiri raises serious legal and environmental concerns.”
Peprah has since been handed over to the Nkawie Police Command to assist with investigations.
The operation forms part of a broader crackdown on illegal mining across Ghana, as authorities intensify efforts to safeguard natural resources and restore degraded lands.
