Forestry Commission Officer in critical condition after machete attack by illegal miners

A member of the Forestry Commission’s Rapid Response Team is fighting for his life after being brutally attacked by armed illegal miners in the Offin Shelter Belt Forest Reserve.

The officer, whose identity is yet to be disclosed, sustained a severe machete wound to the knee and is currently in critical condition at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).

According to reports, the response team was ambushed by illegal miners wielding assault rifles and machetes.

Prior to entering the area, the team had taken photographs of the armed individuals, but upon advancing, they realized some had strategically positioned themselves to launch an attack.

The violent assault highlights the growing threat posed by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, not only to Ghana’s forests and water bodies but also to the safety of security personnel enforcing the law.

The Forestry Commission and security agencies are yet to issue an official statement on the incident, but concerns are mounting over the increasing boldness and violence of illegal miners operating in protected reserves.

The Offin Shelter Belt Forest Reserve is one of Ghana’s vital ecological zones under siege from illegal mining activities, which continue to degrade the environment despite government crackdowns.

This latest attack raises fresh calls for urgent intervention to protect the country’s forest reserves and the officers tasked with enforcing environmental laws.

Source: Gh Extractives