4 fines imposed with a fine of 12,000 GHC for exploitation in the Desiri Forest Reserve

General News on Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Source: Myjoyonline.com

2019-05-28

Four illegal miners who invaded the Desiri Forest Reserve to carry out illegal mining operations were fined 12,000 ¢ by the Tepa Circuit Court in the Ashanti region.

Nkoah Michael, Agyemang Duah, Simon Amponsah and Akwasi Agyare will each be fined 3,000 ¢ or served two years in jail.

The defendants, who were first heard on May 14, pleaded guilty to entering the forest illegally and carrying out illegal activities on the reserve, which is part of the Mankraso Forest District.

The Circuit Court, presided over by Jonson Abbey, sentenced them for their plea.

They were arrested by members of the Working Group on the Rapid Deployment of the Forestry Commission for causing damage to the Asuakaw Forest area in the Asutifi South District of the region. 39; Ahafo.

At the time of their arrest, the defendants had damaged the 150.95 kilometer forest reserve by digging deep mines in search of gold.

Officials from the Forestry Commission discovered the harmful activities of illegal miners through regular surveillance and patrols on the reserve about a month ago.

Although they managed to escape, luck escaped them when the rapid response team, with the support of rangelands and rangers, took them out. arrested.

Mr. Agyemang badured that his team would continue to monitor and stop reckless intruders on the reserve.

"This should serve as a warning to all potential intruders: we will not rely on the oars until they are released," he warned.