Thirteen suspected illegal miners, who were put before the Takoradi Circuit Court for allegedly mining in the Boi Tano Forest reserve in the Western North Region, have been remanded into prison custody.  

 Araba Nunoo, the presiding judge, did not take their plea, and they are expected to reappear before the court on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. 

The suspects were  Philip Kanza, Biney Benedict, Francis Achiah, Joshua Asare, Emmanuel Amankwa, Martin Kwame, Latif Amadu, Kwabena Mensah, Albert Mensah, Karim Mahama, Adoko Hayford, Ezekiel Ajuusine and Kwasi Desmond. 

Joe Appiah Frimpong, the District Manager for the Enchi Forest District, said his office had intelligence that some miners had set up camp in the forest reserve and were engaging in illicit activities there.  

According to him, on January 20, 2026, between 0100 hours And 06:30hours, four teams coordinated by the Western North Regional Forest Services Division and the Enchi Forest District organized operation to flush out the illegal miners at Boi Tano and Jema Asemkrom forest reserves.  

He said the task force raided the site and apprehended the suspects, who were between the ages of 17 and 29 years.  

Additionally, the team burned five water-pumping machines, four makeshift structures, and seized two water-pumping machines, 10 mobile phones, and four shovels.  

Mr Frimpong said all the suspects were handed over to the Enchi Police Command for investigation and prosecution.