Three men suspected of illegally mining in the Tano-Boin Forest Reserve in Ghana have been arrested and remanded. The suspects were apprehended on Friday, October 2, 2026, by members of the Jema Anti-Galamsey Advocacy (JAGA) Watch Committee during an operation in the protected forest reserve. They were found with a water-pumping machine and a changfang mining raft.
According to JAGA, one of the suspects attempted to escape by swimming across the Tano River after the committee members intercepted them. Members of the Watch Committee pursued him into the river and apprehended him. The three suspects were handed over to the Police at the Jema Police Station and later transferred to the District Police Command at Enchi.
Due to the absence of substantive judicial officers at the Enchi Magistrate and Circuit Courts, the suspects were taken to the Assankragwa Magistrate Court, where they were remanded for one week. JAGA commended the Enchi District Police Command, particularly District Commander Chief Superintendent Mensah, for ensuring that the suspects were brought before a court.
The Forestry Commission was informed of the arrests and arranged transportation for the suspects from Jema to Enchi, covering other operational expenses incurred during the operation. Forestry Commission officials have assured JAGA that they will follow up on the case to ensure that the suspects are dealt with in accordance with the law.
JAGA said the latest case highlights the need for sustained enforcement against illegal mining in protected forest reserves and greater collaboration between community watchdogs and state institutions. The organisation expects the relevant law-enforcement and judicial authorities to give the case the necessary attention due to the environmental implications of illegal mining in forest reserves.
The organisation commended the Attorney General and the Chief Justice for initiatives to establish special courts to expedite the prosecution of galamsey-related cases in selected regional capitals. JAGA appealed to the media and international environmental organisations to follow the case to help ensure that proceedings are handled transparently and in accordance with the law.
JAGA contrasted the latest arrests with an earlier case involving two Nigerien nationals who were arrested last year for allegedly mining in the Jema-Assemkrom Forest Reserve but were later granted police bail. The organisation said it has since seen little progress in the case, reinforcing the importance of ensuring that arrests linked to illegal mining proceed through the appropriate legal and judicial channels.
Key points
- The suspects were found with a water-pumping machine and a changfang mining raft.
- One of the suspects attempted to escape by swimming across the Tano River.
- JAGA commended the Enchi District Police Command for ensuring that the suspects were brought before a court.
