Illegal mining, or galamsey, continues to wreak havoc on Ghana’s protected forest reserves, with the Subri Forest in the Wassa East District of the Western Region emerging as one of the hardest-hit areas.

In a recent crackdown, Forestry Guards arrested eight suspected illegal miners, uncovering a disturbing mix of environmental destruction, abandoned pits, and traditional rituals believed to enhance miners' success.

Led by the Western Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, Nana Poku Bomsompem, the team of guards arrived at a location suspected to be a major illegal mining hub.

Sitting on motorbikes and seemingly unbothered, six men draped in talismans watched on, unaware that the operation was much larger than they had anticipated. When they realised the full force of the security team, their confidence quickly faded, and they were apprehended.

Further arrests included a tricycle rider, who claimed he had been called to transport gold-bearing rocks, and a man believed to be the spiritual leader of the operation.

According to sources, the latter performed rituals and incantations to help miners locate gold deposits, reinforcing the deep-rooted traditional beliefs in the trade.

The team visited two sites within the reserve, where they counted at least ten abandoned mining pits and clear evidence that operations had been ongoing for some time.

Rocks suspected to contain gold were left scattered at the site, but most miners had fled after receiving a tip-off about the operation.

The guards confiscated and destroyed eight motorbikes and three tricycles. However, large mining excavators were mysteriously moved before their arrival, raising questions about possible leaks within the enforcement system.

Speaking to Joy News on the menace, Nana Poku Bomsompem expressed concern over the growing sophistication of illegal miners:

"If you go to Tarkwa, Asankragua, and other areas, illegal miners are now using intelligence networks to evade us. They have spotters 30 kilometres away, tracking Forestry officials. The moment they see an unfamiliar pickup, they send a warning, and by the time we get to the scene, they have cleared out. But we are not relenting. We are intensifying our fight, and we will not rest until every last illegal miner is out of our forests."

According to him, illegal miners now operate under the cover of darkness, moving excavators into the forest at night and pretending to mine outside its boundaries by day.

He warned that authorities are closely monitoring these activities and will take decisive action.

"The impact of illegal mining is devastating. Our forests are disappearing, water bodies are being polluted, and biodiversity is under serious threat. We will not spare anyone found engaging in this act. This is a final warning—get out of the forest, leave the water bodies alone, and mine responsibly with the right permits, or face the full force of the law."

The Subri Forest Reserve is classified as a Globally Significant Biodiversity Area (GSBA). Spanning 587.93 square kilometres, it serves as a vital ecological buffer and is home to diverse flora and fauna.

However, illegal activities have led to massive deforestation, with reports indicating that over 10% of the closed canopy and 35% of the buffer zone have been lost in the past two decades.

Authorities say the fight against illegal mining is far from over. The eight suspects have been handed over to the Western Regional Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.

However, the bigger challenge remains: how to protect Ghana’s forests from those determined to exploit them for short-term gains.

As the battle for the Subri Forest intensifies, one question lingers: will enforcement efforts ever be enough to deter illegal miners, or is the destruction of Ghana’s once-thriving forests inevitable?