GOVERNMENT RECLAIMS ASENAYO FOREST RESERVE FROM ILLEGAL MINERS

In ongoing efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities and protect Ghana’s forest reserves and water bodies, the government has achieved another significant milestone with the successful reclamation of the Asenayo Forest Reserve.

This feat has once again been achieved through coordinated operations led by the Forestry Commission and Security agencies, under the auspices of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. This marks the eighth out of nine high-priority “red-zoned” reserves restored from armed illegal miners, reinforcing the state’s zero-tolerance stance on galamsey.

The announcement was made by the Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh Brown, during a just-ended inter-agency retreat organised by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, hailed it as a testament to the effectiveness of interagency collaboration.

The Asenayo reserve, previously overrun by destructive mining operations, has now been fully secured and placed under state protection.

This development highlights the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting Ghana’s vital forest resources, and earlier successes under Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, confirmed the recovery of seven other reserves through joint military-police-Forestry Commission task force operations.

The systematic reclamation strategy—combining intelligence-led enforcement, community engagement, and ecological restoration—has become a model for sustainable natural resource governance.

With only one reserve remaining under illegal occupation, the Ministry reaffirms its commitment to total recovery, stating: “No forest land will be ceded to criminals. We are mobilizing all resources to reclaim the final target and ensure lasting protection for these critical ecosystems.

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