Forestry Commission officer fighting for his life after brutal attack by armed illegal miners

A member of the Forestry Commission‘s Rapid Response team is in critical condition after a violent attack by armed illegal miners in the Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.

The officer, whose identity has not been disclosed, sustained a deep machete wound to his knee after the miners ambushed his team. Reports indicate the attackers were heavily armed with assault rifles and machetes.

According to JoyNews’ Erastus Asare Donko, the incident unfolded when the response team entered the reserve to halt fresh illegal mining operations. Before their mission, they had recorded footage of armed individuals guarding a barrier at the forest’s entrance.

However, as the team ventured deeper into the reserve, they walked into an ambush set by the miners, leading to the brutal attack.

The injured officer is currently receiving medical treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.

The Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve remains a hotspot for illegal mining, which continues to devastate Ghana’s forests and water bodies. Despite ongoing efforts by the Forestry Commission and security agencies to combat this menace, the threat persists.

Authorities have yet to comment on the attack or confirm whether any arrests have been made.