The Nkawie District Forest Services Division has arrested five illegal miners for encroaching on the Jimira forest reserve in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti region.
The suspects are Mohammed Boadi, 35; Kwadwo Agyapong, 31; Ruben Mensah, 26; Ganiru Alhasssn, 20 and Kwame Appiah, 16.
Mr. Chrisantus Nifaasoyir, the District Forestry Manager, led a joint operation with the Rapid Response Team to arrest the five suspects for encroachment and mining in the Jimira forest reserve.
He disclosed that, the suspected illegal miners, currently in the custody of the Nkawie Divisional Police Command, are assisting with investigations pending prosecution in a law court.
Mr. Nifaasoyir explained that the suspects were found mining at Nyinahin-Amangoase at compartment 22 of the forest reserve with three excavators.
He said a gold detector, excavator machines and one motor bike were retrieved from the illegal miners upon their arrest.
Mr. Chrisantus Nifaasoyir called for the public and all stakeholders to co-operate with the forestry Division to end illegal mining activities in the forest reserves and water bodies for the safety of the environment.
The Forestry Manager commended the residents of Amangoase for their cooperation and support that led to the arrest of the illegal miners and called for similar support from the public, to complement core responsibilities of the Forestry Services Division and stakeholders to curb illegal mining in the forest reserves.
Mr. Nifaasoyir also expressed his gratitude to the Nkawie Police and the courts (Judicial Service) for their relentless efforts at curbing activities of illegal miners in the area.
He noted that the position of the police and courts would go a long way to complement the efforts of the Forestry Services Division to minimise the canker and serve as a deterrent to others.
