Illegal mining activities have resurfaced in the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region, despite a series of military-led operations aimed at protecting the forest from environmental destruction.
The renewed invasion comes in the wake of several crackdowns, including one major operation that resulted in the seizure of 19 excavators.
These earlier raids were spearheaded by Clean Jobs, the legal concessionaire responsible for managing and safeguarding the reserve, in collaboration with the military.
However, the illegal miners have once again defied the odds, re-entering the reserve and threatening its delicate ecosystem.
In a fresh raid conducted on Tuesday, Clean Jobs, in partnership with security forces, made additional arrests and seized four more excavators from illegal miners operating within the reserve.
The incident further underscores the persistent and complex nature of the fight against galamsey in Ghana.
Despite these ongoing efforts, environmentalists and local authorities remain concerned about the long-term survival of the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve.
Known for its ecological significance and biodiversity, the forest continues to face degradation due to the relentless pressure from unauthorised miners drawn by its gold deposits.
Sources close to the concessionaire say the repeated incursions have not only caused extensive damage to the environment but have also endangered forest resources meant for future generations.
Clean Jobs has called for stronger enforcement mechanisms and sustained government support to protect the reserve.
The Tano Anwia Forest has become a flashpoint in Ghana’s broader battle against illegal mining, where the challenge lies not just in clearing the forest, but in maintaining control and preventing re-entry.
Environmental groups and civil society are now renewing calls for systemic reforms, tighter enforcement, and community-driven conservation efforts to safeguard Ghana’s forest reserves from the destructive impact of galamsey.
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