The Convener of the Media Coalition Against Illegal Mining, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, has called on the Ghana Armed Forces and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to equip their personnel with arms and logistics to combat heavily armed miners in the ongoing fight against illegal mining.

Contributing to a discussion on the recent anti-galamsey operation in the Subri River Forest Reserve on TV3 on April 15, 2025 the activist demanded the immediate resourcing of forest guards and military officers with weapons, drones, and other logistics to support the raid aimed at eradicating illegal mining.

“We have to commend the forestry guards and military officers who led the operation. However, they must be well-resourced, armed to the teeth and trained like forest rangers with superior techniques, as soon as possible, so that they can match the miners, who are also armed in the forest,” he said.

While applauding the joint operation, which also uncovered other criminal activities beyond galamsey, Dr Ashigbey reiterated his call for an absolute ban on mining in forest reserves.

He criticised President John Dramani Mahama for backtracking on his promise to abolish LI 2462, questioning why he fulfilled the pledge to scrap nuisance taxes but chose instead to amend LI 2462.

Dr Ashigbey called for an all-hands-on-deck approach to end the illegal mining menace in Ghana.

Background

The Forestry Commission and the Ghana Armed Forces jointly led an operation to dismantle an illegal mining community nestled in the Abrewa-Ninkra section of the Subri Forest Reserve in the Western Region on Tuesday, April 15.

The operation uncovered a dangerous cartel of criminals engaged in illegal mining, prostitution, human trafficking, drug abuse, and other vices.

According to multiple media sources, the operation, described by officials as one of the most revealing in recent times, unearthed an underground settlement populated by nationals from Nigeria, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

Authorities have issued a stern warning to perpetrators to stay clear of forest reserves, as they will be intensifying efforts to arrest defaulters involved in activities that harm the forest ecosystem and surrounding communities.

VPO/MA

Meanwhile, catch up on the concluding part of the story of Fort William, where children were sold in exchange for kitchenware, others, below: