The Forestry Commission conducted a raid on the camp of illegal miners who were operating during the night in the Oda River Forest Reserve in Bekwai, Ashanti Ashanti Region.
The operation resulted in the arrest of two Ghanaian illegal miners, Frank Oppong (39) and Akwasi Gyedu (42), who were found actively engaged in mining activities in compartment 30 of the reserve, near Bunso.
The illegal miners had set up lights to facilitate their operations within the forest reserve.
The Bekwai Rapid Response Team, which carried out the operation, set ablaze two excavators, two power plants, one motorbike and a tricycle used by the miners.
A ten-unit structure erected at the site was also pulled down.
The Oda River Forest Reserve has been a target of illegal mining activities in the past, leading to substantial damage to large portions of the forest.
The Bekwai District Manager of the Forestry Commission has informed the media that their organization is actively strategizing to safeguard what is left of the reserve.