A joint military and police operation in the Upper East Region has led to the arrest of 66 illegal miners at the Tilli forest reserve. The operation, which took place on Tuesday, March 4, 2024, aimed to clamp down on illegal mining activities that have been damaging the forest and its ecosystem.

The arrested miners include two nationals from Burkina Faso, 26 from Togo, and 38 Ghanaians. The Tilli forest is one of the largest reserves in the region, home to a rich variety of wildlife, including elephants. The illegal mining operations in the area have been contributing to the destruction of the ecosystem, threatening the survival of these species.

Upper East Regional Minister Akamugri Donatus Atanga spoke about the operation, noting that it was in response to a request from the paramount chief of Sakote, who had raised concerns about the growing issue of illegal mining in the area.

Source:TheDotNews