In a high-stakes joint operation, the Forestry Commission and the Ghana Armed Forces have successfully dismantled a vast illegal mining settlement in the Abrewa-Ninkra section of the Subri Forest Reserve in the Western Region. The raid, carried out on Tuesday, April 15, exposed a deeply entrenched criminal network operating within the protected forest zone.

Described by officials as “one of the most revealing operations in recent times,” the intervention led to the destruction of illegal mining infrastructure, including makeshift brothels, shelters, and business hubs. Authorities also rescued several trafficking victims, including young foreign nationals allegedly forced into prostitution and drug abuse.

A Criminal Underworld in the Forest
The illegal settlement, concealed beneath the dense forest canopy, was home to thousands of individuals from across West Africa — including Nigeria, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. What was once a peaceful conservation area had been transformed into a hotbed of transnational crime, involving drug trafficking, money laundering, and human exploitation.



According to Nana Kwabena Bosompim, Western Regional Forestry Manager, the scale of devastation was “an eyesore,” both environmentally and socially.

“We came expecting about 2,000 miners, but by morning, we had estimated more than 10,000 people. We couldn’t make mass arrests due to logistics — our vehicles couldn’t even accommodate that number,” he said.

Instead, the team burned down equipment and structures and dispersed the illegal occupants, many of whom fled before arrests could be made.

Environmental and Social Fallout
The environmental toll of the illegal mining operations has been severe. Officials reported polluted rivers, deforestation, and widespread destruction of biodiversity. Even more concerning were reports that local youth — especially young girls — were abandoning school to join the illicit trade in sex and drugs within the camp.

“Girls now prefer to come here for prostitution rather than go to school. That’s how deep this problem runs,” Bosompim lamented.

Sustained Operation and Warnings Issued
To prevent a re-emergence of illegal activity, the security task force will remain in the area for at least two weeks. Officials have vowed to flush out any returning miners and have warned those interested in mining to pursue legal avenues.

“If you want to mine, do so legally. We will support you. But this kind of illegal activity is destroying our environment, our water bodies, and our future,” Bosompim added.

This operation forms part of a wider national effort to curb illegal mining (galamsey), which continues to pose a significant threat to Ghana’s natural resources and rural communities.