Ghana Forestry Commission: Subri Armed Camps to Fight Galamsey

• Ghana's Forestry Commission plans to establish armed security camps in the Subri River Forest Reserve to combat illegal mining.
• These camps will deploy rapid-response teams equipped with surveillance technology, including CCTV and Starlink internet, to prevent miners from returning to cleared areas.
• The initiative responds to the presence of over 1,000 armed illegal miners and aims to solidify fragile gains made in reducing degraded forestland.
• Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson advocates for enhanced collaboration among state agencies, including NAIMOS, to overcome 'siloed' operations in the anti-galamsey fight.
• The Subri River Forest Reserve, a major ecological asset of over 58,000 hectares, is a key focus of this intensified enforcement strategy.

The Ghana Forestry Commission is set to implement a robust new enforcement strategy, including the establishment of armed security camps, to protect the Subri River Forest Reserve in the Western Region from illegal mining activities, locally known as galamsey.

The Ghana Forestry Commission is set to implement a robust new enforcement strategy, including the establishment of armed security camps, to protect the Subri River Forest Reserve in the Western Region from illegal mining activities, locally known as galamsey. This initiative, announced on October 28, 2026, aims to prevent miners from re-establishing operations in areas that have been cleared. The plan involves deploying armed rapid-response teams to identified hotspots within the reserve, which is reportedly plagued by over 1,000 armed illegal miners.

These dedicated teams, typically comprising around 13 officers, will be stationed at sites following initial clearance operations. To bolster their effectiveness, the camps will be equipped with essential resources such as motorbikes, vehicles, advanced CCTV cameras, and Starlink internet connectivity. This technological infrastructure is intended to enhance surveillance capabilities, improve communication among personnel, and facilitate swift responses to any resurgence of illegal mining. Furthermore, the officers designated for these operations have undergone specialized training tailored for navigating and operating within challenging forest terrains, underscoring the seriousness of the Forestry Commission's commitment to Subri River Forest Reserve protection.

Despite previous efforts that have led to arrests, prosecutions, and the destruction of mining equipment, a persistent challenge has been the re-infiltration of sites by illegal miners once security forces depart. Nana Poku Bosompim, the Western Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, emphasized the critical need to prevent the Subri River Forest Reserve from deteriorating into a 'red zone,' stating that such an outcome would represent a monumental failure. While the effective area of degraded forestland has seen a significant reduction—from approximately 680 hectares to 282 hectares, a nearly 60 percent decrease—these gains remain precarious due to the continuous return of illegal miners.

Addressing this ongoing struggle, Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson has called for a more unified Ghana illegal mining enforcement strategy. He specifically urged stronger collaboration among various state security agencies, including the Forestry Commission, the military, Navy, Air Force, and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS). Minister Nelson expressed concern over existing gaps in cooperation, noting that both the Forestry Commission and NAIMOS operate under the same ministry yet often work in isolation. He stressed that joint planning, intelligence sharing, and coordinated deployments are essential to prevent illegal mining groups from regaining control of cleared areas, warning that 'working in silos won’t help anybody' achieve lasting results.

The Subri River Forest Reserve spans more than 58,000 hectares and is recognized as one of the Western Region’s most significant ecological assets. The broader Western Region encompasses 19 forest reserves, covering an extensive area of approximately 209,333 hectares, which necessitates continuous security operations to prevent further environmental degradation. The sheer scale of this forest estate presents a formidable challenge for sustained enforcement efforts, making the new strategy for Western Region forest reserve security particularly crucial.

Mr. Bosompim acknowledged that while progress has been made, the fight against galamsey is far from over, underscoring the need to sustain the current efforts. The Forestry Commission rapid-response teams, equipped with modern technology and specialized training, represent a significant escalation in the government's approach to safeguarding these vital natural resources. This intensified posture reflects a determination to protect Ghana's forest reserves from the destructive impact of illegal mining, ensuring their long-term ecological integrity.

Lawyers advising clients involved in mining, land use, or environmental compliance in Ghana's Western Region, especially near forest reserves, should be aware of the Forestry Commission's intensified enforcement strategy. This includes armed camps and enhanced surveillance, indicating a heightened risk of regulatory action and the need for rigorous due diligence to ensure operations are not inadvertently linked to or impacted by illegal mining activities.

Source: Original reporting via Carbonatix