A high-risk joint operation led by the Forestry Commission and the Ghana Armed Forces has successfully dismantled a sprawling illegal mining camp within the Abrewa-Ninkra section of the Subri Forest Reserve in Ghana’s Western Region.
The raid exposed a disturbing web of criminal activities and led to the destruction of makeshift mining structures, brothels, and shelters, as well as the rescue of trafficked victims — some of whom were young foreign nationals forced into prostitution and drug abuse.
The operation, described by officials as one of the most revealing in recent times, uncovered an underground settlement populated by nationals from Nigeria, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
The once-quiet forestry community had been turned into a hotspot for cross-border criminal activity, complete with drug use, money laundering operations, and human trafficking networks.
Authorities say the damage to the forest ecosystem and local community has been devastating.
Nana Kwabena Bosompim, Western Regional Forestry Manager, in an interview after the operation, stated that the illegal miners had constructed fully functional hubs, including wooden brothels and makeshift shelters that served both as living spaces and business centers. Security officers described the entire setup as an “eyesore” — a complete departure from the forest’s original purpose as a conservation zone.
He also stressed the severe environmental impact of the illegal activities, pointing to polluted rivers, destroyed vegetation, and deforestation on a massive scale.
He indicated that a combined security team would remain in the area for at least two weeks to prevent the miners from returning.
Story by Nana Fynn@W/R