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Two individuals have lost their lives, and another is in critical condition following violent clashes between illegal mining groups in the Tano-Anwia Forest Reserve in the Aowin municipality of the Western Region.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, January 22, involved two armed groups engaged in illegal mining activities within the forest. The confrontation resulted in the deaths and left one individual with severe gunshot wounds.
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The groups, reportedly led by known political figures, have taken control of the forest and resumed mining operations since a change in political power.
Their activities have endangered forestry officials, concessionaires, and the local environment.
Allegations have surfaced accusing the Member of Parliament for the area of sponsoring the illegal operations.
However, the MP has denied any involvement but admitted that those mining illegally are affiliated with his political party.
The situation escalated when a rapid response team sent to disrupt the mining operations faced retaliation. According to one forestry guard, they were ambushed by illegal miners on motorcycles, abducted, and assaulted after completing their mission.
“We destroyed some equipment set up by the illegal miners in the forest as instructed. When we returned to town, I was accosted by a group of illegal miners on motorcycles. They forced me to a different location and started interrogating me. When I tried to explain, one of them hit me on the neck with a stick, and I fell,” the guard recalled.
Another guard sustained injuries after being attacked and refusing to surrender his weapon. “They slashed his palm with a machete,” the guard stated.
The illegal miners also reportedly seized weapons from some of the forest guards. The Forestry Commission has since indicated that its staff are unable to carry out their duties due to the heightened threats posed by the ongoing invasion.
The Tano Anwia, Tano Nimri, and Yoo Yoo forests are among the reserves affected by this latest wave of illegal mining activities.
Efforts to combat illegal mining in these areas have been ongoing for years, with significant resources invested to protect the reserves and their ecosystems.
The renewed invasion threatens to undo these efforts and exacerbate environmental degradation in the region.
Authorities are being urged to take decisive action to restore security and preserve the region’s natural resources.
Source: Joynews
