A joint operation by the Minerals Development Fund (MDF) and security agencies has uncovered an illegal fuel station within the Jimmirah Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.
Authorities believe it was used to supply fuel the earth-moving equipment deployed in the illegal mining operations.
The raid, conducted on Thursday, June 5, also led to the arrest of several foreign nationals suspected of spearheading illegal mining activities within the forest reserve.
Speaking to journalists after the operation, the Administrator of the Minerals Development Fund, Dr Hannah Bissiw, condemned the environmental degradation caused by the activities and expressed the frustration of affected communities.
She further emphasised that those arrested should not be deported until they are held accountable for the destruction.
“The community is fed up, and in fact, the communities are fed up. They are fed up that they destroy the land, they destroy the water bodies, and at the end of the day, they are going to blame the government because when they want water, the government has to provide it.
“For these Chinese who say they don’t feel sorry for what they have done, they have destroyed our water bodies, and they have done so much. We will also make sure that the law takes its course. If they are going to be deported, it should not be before they pay for the restoration of Offin,” she said.
