Takoradi: Thirteen suspected illegal miners have been remanded into prison custody by the Takoradi Circuit Court for allegedly engaging in mining activities within the Boi Tano Forest Reserve in the Western North Region.
According to Ghana News Agency, the presiding judge, Araba Nunoo, did not take the plea of the accused individuals, who are expected to reappear before the court on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The suspects include Philip Kanza, Biney Benedict, Francis Achiah, Joshua Asare, Emmanuel Amankwa, Martin Kwame, Latif Amadu, Kwabena Mensah, Albert Mensah, Karim Mahama, Adoko Hayford, Ezekiel Ajuusine, and Kwasi Desmond.
Mr. Joe Appiah Frimpong, the District Manager for Enchi Forest District, reported that intelligence indicated the presence of miners setting up camp in the forest reserve for illicit activities. On January 20, 2026, between 0100 and 06:30 hours, a coordinated operation was launched by four teams from the Western North Regional Forest Services Division and the Enchi Forest District to expel the illegal miners from the Boi Tano and Jema Asemkrom forest reserves.
The task force successfully raided the site, apprehending the suspects, whose ages range from 17 to 29 years. During the operation, the team destroyed five water pumping machines, four makeshift structures, and seized two water pumping machines, 10 mobile phones, and four shovels.
Mr. Frimpong stated that all suspects have been handed over to the Enchi Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.