The Ashanti South Police Command has reaffirmed its resolve to prosecute four individuals arrested for illegal mining in the Krobo Forest Reserve, following reports of alleged attempts to secure their release by a local political figure.
The suspects were arrested on Monday, May 11, 2026, during a joint anti-illegal mining operation carried out by police officers and Logeist Group Company Limited within the protected forest zone in the Ashanti Region.
Authorities say the suspects were actively engaged in mining activities dangerously close to the Oda River, raising concerns over environmental degradation and threats to nearby water bodies.
During the operation, security personnel seized two excavators and destroyed additional equipment found at the site as part of efforts to halt further destruction of the reserve.
Police officials alleged that the Jacobu-Odotobri NDC Chairman in the Amansie Central District later arrived at the scene and claimed the miners had his permission to operate in the forest, using a vehicle belonging to one of the suspects.
“We found four excavators actively engaged in illegal mining within the forest reserve and operating very close to the Oda River. The Jacobu-Odotobri NDC Chairman later arrived in the vehicle of one of the illegal miners and claimed he had permitted them to enter the forest,” officers stated.
They further indicated that the chairman appealed for the release of the suspects, but the police insist due process will be followed and the individuals will be arraigned in court.
Operations Manager of Logeist Group Company Limited, Seth Kofi Adjei, said the exercise forms part of sustained efforts to protect Ghana’s natural environment and clamp down on illegal mining activities in forest reserves.
