Ghana: Illegal Miners Moving Into Restricted Forest Areas

There are more than 270 such forest reserves in Ghana. They serve as sources of lumber as well as protection for some river bodies. However, inappropriate practices by the illegal miners are causing the loss of timber resources. Awudi said land degradation and cyanide spillage was also polluting affected soil and water bodies.
"It affects those downstream of the river. For example, Densu river in the Atiwa forest reserve. It supplies water to about 65 percent of Accra's population. So if we don't take care, then Accra may not get water. So we are trying to flush out the illegal miners, otherwise, cost of treatment of water will go up," he said.
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