A coordinated anti‑illegal mining operation by the Forestry Commission’s Rapid Response Teams has led to the arrest of 24 suspects at the Atewa Range Forest Reserve in the Eastern Region.

The dawn swoop, conducted at about 0330 hours on Tuesday, April 26, 2026, at the Sagyimase portion of the Reserve in the Abuakwa South Municipality, involved 30 personnel drawn from six RRT units nationwide.

A statement from the Commission copied to the Ghana News Agency said several miners fled upon sighting the officers, but 24 suspects were apprehended at the scene with no fatalities recorded.

“In the course of the operation, 16 water pumping machines suspected to have been used for illegal mining activities were destroyed, while 52 makeshift polysheet tent structures serving as temporary shelters were dismantled and burned,” it said.

The statement added that two additional water pumping machines were seized and transported to the Kyebi District Office of the Forest Services Division to be kept as exhibits.

The suspects have since been handed over to the Kyebi District Police for further investigation and prosecution.

Five of those arrested were identified as minors.

The Commission stressed its commitment to safeguarding the Reserve from illegal mining, which continues to threaten forest integrity, water bodies and surrounding communities.

The Rapid Response Teams indicated that surveillance and enforcement efforts in and around the Atewa enclave would be sustained to deter further incursions and protect Ghana’s natural heritage.