New images have revealed a disturbing and alarming rate of destruction caused by illegal miners also known as galamsey in the Atewa Forest, raising renewed concerns over the continued degradation of one of Ghana’s most ecologically sensitive forest reserves.
The visuals show extensive land degradation, vegetation loss, and polluted water bodies, underscoring the growing pressure of illegal mining activities on the forest ecosystem.
This comes barely two weeks after the Forestry Commission undertook a joint enforcement operation in the Atewa Forest Reserve within the Atiwa Forest District in Kyebi, following renewed concerns over increasing illegal mining (galamsey) activities in the area.
The operation, conducted on April 1, 2026, involved eight rapid response teams alongside staff of the Kyebi Forest District. It targeted illegal mining sites within the Atewa Range Forest Reserve.
As part of the exercise, officials destroyed ten pumping machines and dismantled and burned approximately 30 makeshift structures believed to have been used by illegal miners.
One suspect, identified as 20-year-old Kojo Davan from Sawla, was arrested during the operation. He is currently in custody pending further investigation and possible prosecution.
The latest imagery has raised concerns about the need to take a holistic approach to preserve the Atewa Forest, which serves as the source of three major rivers in Ghana, namely the Densu, Ayensu and Birim rivers.
Story compiled as part of Nature’s Heartbeat Project
