Chairman of the Small Scale Miners Association, Kojo Peprah, has been arrested by the Inspector General of Police’s Special Anti-Galamsey Taskforce for allegedly interfering in the arrest of illegal miners operating within the Desiri Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.
According to police sources, Mr. Peprah confronted the taskforce during an operation in the forest, demanding an explanation for their presence. He claimed he had received information that the team had invaded a mining site believed to be under his supervision.
However, the police emphasized that mining activities in forest reserves are prohibited under Ghanaian law, and small-scale mining licenses do not permit operations within such protected areas.
The Desiri Forest Reserve has been flagged by the Forestry Commission as a critical zone, described as the only “red spot” among 44 forest reserves recently surveyed for illegal mining activity.
Mr. Peprah was subsequently handed over to the Nkawie Police Command to assist with ongoing investigations.
Source: Erastus Asare Donkor
ALSO READ: