The government has announced the successful reclamation of the Asenayo Forest Reserve from illegal miners, marking another major milestone in its ongoing fight against illegal mining and the destruction of Ghana’s forest reserves and water bodies.

This achievement was the result of a coordinated operation led by the Forestry Commission and security agencies under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

It represents the eighth of nine high-priority “red-zoned” forest reserves that have now been recovered from armed illegal miners — a clear reinforcement of the state’s zero-tolerance policy on galamsey.

Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh Brown, made the announcement during a recent inter-agency retreat organised by the Ministry.

He described the feat as a powerful example of what inter-agency collaboration can achieve.

The Asenayo Forest Reserve, once heavily degraded by illegal mining, is now fully secured and under state protection.

This development builds on previous recoveries achieved under the leadership of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, who had earlier confirmed the reclamation of seven other reserves through joint operations involving the military, police, and Forestry Commission.

The government’s approach, centred on intelligence-led enforcement, community engagement, and ecological restoration, has become a model for sustainable natural resource governance.

With only one forest reserve still under illegal occupation, the Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to full recovery.

“No forest land will be ceded to criminals. We are mobilising all resources to reclaim the final target and ensure lasting protection for these critical ecosystems,” it stated.