Small Scale Miners Chairman Arrested for Interfering with Anti-Galamsey Operation in Desiri Forest

The Chairman of the Small Scale Miners Association, Kojo Peprah, has been arrested by the Special Anti-Galamsey Task Force deployed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for obstructing an operation against illegal mining in the Desiri Forest Reserve, Ashanti Region.

Police reports indicate that Mr. Peprah confronted the special team during their mission to flush out illegal miners from the forest reserve, questioning the legitimacy of their operation and demanding explanations.

Following his arrest, Mr. Peprah claimed he had received reports that the task force had entered what he believed to be his legally licensed mining site within the forest reserve.

However, authorities have clarified that small-scale mining licenses do not permit mining within forest reserves, casting doubt on the activities of miners operating in the protected area.

According to the latest data from the Forestry Commission, the Desiri Forest Reserve is currently the only “red spot” among 44 forest reserves recently invaded by illegal miners.

Mr. Peprah has since been handed over to the Nkawie Police Command to assist with ongoing investigations.