The Forestry Commission has let the demolition of an unauthorized settlement within the Subri Forest Reserve in the Western Region as part of efforts to combat illegal activities in protected areas.

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Officials stated that the settlement, which was home to thousands of people, had been illegally established and was serving as a hub for unlawful operations. In addition to extensive illegal mining activities, the community was said to be involved in prostitution, human trafficking, and financial crimes such as money laundering.

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""This place is an eye saw and it's full of illegal miners with all manner of activities. We've seen incidents of child trafficking, child prostitution, drug abuse, money laundering, counterfeit operations—you name it. And we are getting nationals from all the sub-region. It appears this community is a representation of ECOWAS. We have people from neighboring West African countries—from the Sahelian regions, from Guinea, Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Mali and all of them are here," one official from the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) stated in a video shared by Joy News.

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The Forestry Commission also detailed the severe environmental degradation caused by illegal mining in the reserve, including deforestation, polluted waterways, and abandoned mining pits.

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During the demolition, security personnel dismantled dozens of makeshift structures and rescued young women believed to have been trafficked into forced prostitution.

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"This isn’t just about illegal mining; this community was a fully functioning criminal network operating unnoticed until now," an officer involved in the raid remarked.

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Meanwhile, the Western Regional Manager of the Ghana Forestry Commission, Nana Poku Bosompim, has revealed that nearly 3,000 hectares of land in the Takoradi enclave have been affected by illegal mining (galamsey) activities in recent times.

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He made this disclosure following a recent raid on an illegal mining settlement in one of the region's forest reserves.

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"As I speak to you, I can confirm that nearly 3,000 hectares of forest reserve land in the Takoradi Forest District have been impacted and destroyed by the activities of illegal miners," he stated The Western Regional Manager of the Ghana Forestry Commission, Nana Poku Bosompim, has revealed that nearly 3,000 hectares of land in the Takoradi enclave have been affected by illegal mining (galamsey) activities in recent times.

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He made this disclosure following a recent raid on an illegal mining settlement in one of the region's forest reserves.

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"As I speak to you, I can confirm that nearly 3,000 hectares of forest reserve land in the Takoradi Forest District have been impacted and destroyed by the activities of illegal miners," he stated on

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Illegal mining, locally known as galamsey, is a major issue in Ghana, causing severe environmental damage and socio-economic challenges

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Conversations around it continues, with many calling for stricter enforcement, community engagement, and sustainable economic alternatives to reduce reliance on illegal mining.

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