An anti-illegal mining operation in the Atiwa Forest Reserve has ended in a deadly confrontation, leaving one suspected miner dead, another injured and four people arrested.
The incident occurred on Monday, November 2, during Operation GREEN SHIELD, an enforcement exercise targeting suspected illegal mining activities within the forest.
According to the operational account, personnel from the Anti-Small-Scale Mining Operations Brigade (ASOB) advanced about 10 kilometres into the reserve after drone surveillance identified another suspected mining location.
During a foot patrol that lasted from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the team reportedly encountered approximately 50 suspected illegal miners at the site.
Some of the individuals allegedly attempted to escape after noticing the security personnel, while others opened fire on the team. The operatives returned fire, resulting in the death of one suspected miner and injuries to another.
The four people arrested comprise three Malian nationals and one Ghanaian.
Security personnel also recovered two pump-action guns and six rounds of ammunition during the operation.
The injured suspect was given first aid before being transported to the Kyebi Government Hospital for further treatment.
The four arrested individuals have since been handed over to the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) for further action.
No casualties were recorded among the security personnel involved in the exercise.
The latest incident highlights the security risks confronting enforcement teams as authorities intensify efforts to curb illegal mining and protect Ghana’s forest reserves.
Authorities have not disclosed further details about the identities of those involved or the next steps in the investigation.
