The Tarkwa Circuit Court presided over by Judge Hathia Ama Manoel remanded seven individuals into police custody on charges related to illegal mining. According to a GhanaWeb report and confirmation from local authorities the suspects were apprehended on Friday November 15 2024. The arrests occurred within the boundaries of the Bonsa River Forest Reserve which is a protected zone under national environmental laws.
A report from the Ghana News Agency indicates that the operation was carried out by the Rapid Response Team of the Forestry Commission. During the exercise security personnel seized various pieces of equipment allegedly used for alluvial mining. The suspects have been identified as Ibrahim Osman and Yakubu Adnan along with five others whose names were presented to the court. The prosecution requested additional time to finalize investigations and locate potential accomplices still at large.
The suspects faced charges including conspiracy to commit a crime and mining without a license as detailed in the court proceedings. The Daily Graphic reported that the Forestry Commission has intensified its surveillance within the Western Region to curb the destruction of water bodies and forest covers. The prosecution stated that the activities of the suspects had caused significant damage to the vegetation and river banks within the reserve.
The defense counsel for the suspects applied for bail during the initial hearing but the court denied the request citing the gravity of the offenses against the state. The Tarkwa Circuit Court adjourned the case to November 27 2024 for further hearing. All seven suspects will remain at the Tarkwa divisional police headquarters until their next scheduled appearance. This enforcement action aligns with the broader government initiative to eliminate galamsey activities in protected areas across Ghana.