Upper East: Mr Donatus Akamugri Atanga, the Upper East Regional Minister and Chairman of the Regional Security Council (REGSEC), spearheaded a coordinated operation involving military and police forces to apprehend 'galamseyers' in the Tilli Forest reserve. A total of 73 individuals, including foreign nationals, were detained during the raid in the forest area, which features the Red Volta River between the communities of Sakoti in the Nabdam District and Tilli in the Bawku West District.
According to Ghana News Agency, the detained individuals comprise 41 Ghanaians, including 40 males and one female, alongside two Burkinabes and 27 Togolese, which include 23 males and four females accompanied by their three infants. Upon arrival, authorities discovered the illegal miners engaged in extraction activities using heavy machinery along the river and its banks.
The Minister briefed the media after the operation, stating that the intervention was prompted by concerns raised by Naba Sigri Bewong, the Paramount Chief of the Sakoti Traditional Area, regarding illegal mining activities, known locally as 'galamsey', within the forest reserve. Mr Atanga recalled a visit to the Chief's Palace, where the issue of illegal mining and other criminal acts in the forest was brought to his attention, leading to decisive action.
Mr Atanga explained that following a REGSEC meeting, it was deemed crucial to verify the Chief's concerns firsthand. The joint team discovered individuals actively mining in the river and along its banks. The arrested suspects are to be taken to the Nangodi Police Station for questioning to determine whether they were acting independently or under the influence of unseen entities.
Mr Atanga emphasized the need for thorough investigation, acknowledging that those arrested might not be the masterminds behind the illegal activities. He assured that the suspects would be screened, and appropriate measures would be taken to tackle the issue. Observations by Mr Atanga also pointed to a discoloration of the White Volta along the Pwalugu-Wulugu road, likely due to illegal mining in the Tilli Forest reserve.
The REGSEC Chairman announced that similar operations would be implemented in other forest reserves across the region to eradicate illegal mining practices. He lauded the Chief for alerting REGSEC to the situation and urged traditional rulers and stakeholders to report activities posing threats to the public for necessary intervention.
