The Aowin Division of the Forestry Commission has intensified its fight against illegal mining, arresting 13 Ghanaians involved in galamsey activities within the Boin Tano Forest Reserve, in a strong signal that illegal mining in the division will no longer be tolerated.

In the early hours of Monday, January 19, 2026, around 1:00 a.m., two task forces of the Forestry Commission, including a Rapid Response Team, swooped on suspected galamsey sites in Jema Asemkrom within the Boin Tano Forest Reserve.

The operation was carried out following intelligence reports indicating ongoing illegal mining deep within the forest.

According to the Aowin District Manager of the Forestry Commission, Joe Appiah Frimpong, the operation uncovered four makeshift mining camps that had been set up to facilitate unauthorised gold extraction.

“These camps were operating deep within the forest reserve, destroying valuable forest land and threatening the integrity of our ecosystem,” Mr Frimpong said. “All four camps were destroyed during the operation, and equipment such as changfang machines, shovels, and other mining tools were seized and set ablaze to prevent further illegal activities.”

The suspects, aged between 19 and 29 years, were actively engaged in mining activities that had resulted in the destruction of approximately 0.4 to 0.5 hectares of forest land.

“We have handed over the 13 suspects to the Aowin Divisional Police Command for further investigations, and they have since been arraigned in court to face the full weight of the law,” he added.

The operation underscores the Forestry Commission’s commitment to implementing the President’s renewed directives on combating illegal mining, which has continued to pose serious environmental, social, and economic threats to communities in Ghana.

“Illegal mining not only destroys our forests, but it also pollutes water bodies and threatens biodiversity,” Mr Frimpong noted. “As part of our ongoing enforcement strategy, the Forestry Commission will sustain operations across the Aowin Division to ensure that forest reserves and water bodies are fully protected.”

Environmental experts have long warned that galamsey activities in forest reserves contribute to deforestation, soil degradation, and water pollution, undermining national efforts to combat climate change and protect natural resources.

The Forestry Commission’s operations, they argue, are critical to preserving Ghana’s ecological balance.

The latest arrests and destruction of illegal mining camps send a strong message to would-be operators that the government and its agencies are serious about enforcing environmental laws.

“We want the public to understand that the protection of forests is not optional. It is a legal and moral responsibility that we all share,” Mr Frimpong emphasised. “The Forestry Commission is determined to clamp down on galamsey to ensure sustainable use of our natural resources for present and future generations.”

Residents within the Boin Tano area have welcomed the move, expressing relief that authorities are actively taking steps to curb illegal mining. Many have raised concerns over the environmental degradation caused by galamsey, which has affected farmlands, water quality, and local livelihoods.

The Forestry Commission has urged the public to cooperate with its teams by reporting any illegal mining activities and warned that continued violations will attract strict legal consequences.

With sustained operations planned across the division, the Aowin Forestry Commission is making it clear that the war against galamsey will not relent, and the protection of Ghana’s forests and water bodies remains a top priority.