A joint operation by the Upper East Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has resulted in the arrest of 73 illegal miners in the Tilli Forest Reserve, located in the Bawku West and Nabdam districts.
The operation, conducted on March 4, 2025, aimed to put an end to the devastating galamsey activities that have threatened the ecosystem and wildlife of the reserve.
The arrested individuals, including two Burkinabes, 27 Togolese, and 41 Ghanaians, were found mining in the forest reserve and the Red Volta River.
Shockingly, three children were among those arrested, highlighting the alarming trend of child labor in the galamsey industry.
The operation resulted in the retrieval of various equipment, including air compressors, drilling machines, motorbikes, and gold processing equipment.
The seized equipment is a testament to the sophistication and scale of the galamsey operations in the area.
The crackdown on galamsey in the Tilli Forest Reserve was sparked by an appeal from the Paramount Chief of the Sakote Traditional Area, Naba Sigiri Bewong.
During a courtesy call on February 20, 202, the chief expressed his concerns about the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining activities in the area.
He urged the Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, to take decisive action to protect the forest reserve and the Red Volta River.
The Regional Minister, speaking to the media, warned that if action is not taken, the polluted water from the Red Volta River will eventually flow into the main Volta River, affecting communities along its course.
He emphasized the importance of protecting the environment and preserving natural resources for future generations.
The REGSEC has announced plans to extend similar operations to other forest reserves in the region to clamp down on illegal mining activities.
–BY Daniel Bampoe
