- Forestry Commission undertakes a major operation against illegal mining in the Yakombo Forest Reserve
- 11 Chinese nationals and 10 Ghanaians arrested while actively mining in protected compartments
- Multiple vehicles and an excavator seized; suspects handed over to Damongo Police for prosecution
The Forestry Commission has conducted a major operation to dismantle illegal mining activities destroying the Yakombo Forest Reserve in the Buipe Forest District of the Savannah Region.
During the raid, 11 Chinese nationals and 10 Ghanaian accomplices were arrested while actively engaging in illegal mining within the reserve. The arrests took place in Compartments 50 and 51, near Tuntumba in the Bole-Bamboi District.
The Chinese suspects have been identified as Tang Shao Qi, 28; He Peng, 40; Zhou Qin Sar, 25; Wu Xu, 39; He Chuang Ye, 45; Cheng Lin, 40; Long Xi, 32; Yang Gesheng, 51; Zhang Hongzhaojie, 34; Zhou Peng, 39; and Wu Yujie, 24.
The Ghanaian suspects include Alhassan Yakubu; Daniel Mba, 33; Pious Kwabena, 20; Emmanuel Amankra, 40; Seidu Suleman, 44; Sampson Akawuni, 22; Thadeus Gideon, 27; Mohammed Salim, 21; Mohammed Kanamu, 25; and Saaka Yakubu, 22.
A total of 51 Forestry Commission personnel—comprising forest guards from the Buipe and Bole Forest District offices and three Rapid Response teams—participated in the operation.
Authorities also seized several vehicles, including a Toyota Hilux, two Great Wall pickup trucks, three Howo tipper trucks, and a Man Diesel low-bed truck transporting an excavator.
All suspects have been transferred to the Damongo Regional Police for further investigation and prosecution. The confiscated equipment has been moved to the Mole National Park, managed by the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission.
Established in 1974, the Yakombo Forest Reserve is Ghana’s largest, covering approximately 1,210 square kilometers.
