JAGA Watch Committee arrests three illegal miners in Tano-Boin Forest Reserve

The Jema Anti-Galamsey Advocacy (JAGA) Watch Committee apprehended three suspected illegal miners on October 2, 2026, within the protected Tano-Boin Forest Reserve in the Aowin area of the Western Region. The suspects were caught operating near the Tano River, a vital water body currently threatened by illegal mining activities. Following their apprehension by the community group, the suspects were handed over to the police and have since been remanded in custody for one week by the Assankragwa Magistrate Court.

During the operation, the watch committee intercepted the suspects while they were using specialized mining equipment, including a water-pumping machine and a changfang mining raft. One of the suspects attempted a dramatic escape by swimming across the Tano River, but he was successfully captured by the committee members. The Forestry Commission collaborated with the JAGA team, providing support for operational costs and coordinating the transport of the suspects to the police authorities.

The suspects were initially processed at the Jema Police Station before being transferred to various commands and eventually appearing before the Assankragwa Magistrate Court. The court ordered their remand for one week, a move necessitated by the current absence of judicial officers in the local courts near Jema. JAGA leadership praised the Enchi District Police Command for their swift action and the Forestry Commission for its logistical support in pursuing the case.

Following the arrests, JAGA emphasized the critical role of community-led initiatives in safeguarding Ghana’s natural resources. The organization highlighted the ongoing environmental degradation caused by illegal mining, or galamsey, within forest reserves and called for a more unified effort among state institutions, traditional leaders, and local residents. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to patrolling the Tano-Boin Forest Reserve to ensure that illegal operators are deterred and the integrity of the forest is preserved.