The Bekwai Circuit Court has granted bail to 28 Chinese nationals and their three Ghanaian accomplices, accused of attempting to mine illegally in the Apamprama Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.

The 31 individuals were arrested late last year by the Forestry Commission after they set up camp within the forest in preparation for an alleged illegal mining operation. They were remanded in police custody following their first court appearance last week.

The bail application was moved today by counsel for the accused, Dominic Kwadwo Osei, and was opposed by the prosecution, represented by the Attorney General’s Department.

After hearing submissions from both sides, the Court granted bail to the accused persons in the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH₵200,000.00) each, with two (2) sureties to be justified.

The court ordered that the sureties must be Ghanaians and that their Ghana Cards be deposited at the Court Registry. In addition, the passports of all the accused persons are to be deposited.

The Court further directed the Registrar and the Investigator to ensure full compliance with the bail conditions.

Half of the Apamprama Forest Reserve has already been degraded. Many illegal miners have attempted to operate in the reserve under the pretext of conducting reclamation work.