In a bold and strategic operation, the Ghana Armed Forces stormed and demolished a massive illegal settlement believed to be home to over 10,000 residents in the Western Region. The unregistered community, known as Abrewa Ne Nkran, was discovered deep within forest reserves and is reportedly a stronghold for illegal gold mining activities, commonly referred to as galamsey.
Sources indicate that the settlement had no formal recognition and lacked basic social infrastructure such as roads, electricity, schools, or health facilities. It operated under the radar of national authorities, functioning as a self-contained hub for unregulated mining, criminal dealings, and illicit businesses.
According to investigations by JoyNews, the community had become a safe haven for individuals involved in galamsey, with reports linking the enclave to a range of criminal activities including human trafficking, child exploitation, prostitution, and suspected money laundering. These serious concerns prompted security forces to carry out the recent demolition exercise as part of a nationwide campaign to combat illegal mining and its associated risks.
The operation is said to have uncovered widespread destruction of the environment, with large sections of forest land degraded due to the intense mining operations. Most residents of the settlement were believed to be foreign nationals from neighbouring countries, allegedly working without proper documentation or legal authorization.
Eyewitnesses report that the raid was swift and effective, with military personnel moving in with heavy machinery to dismantle structures and seize equipment used in illegal mining. Authorities have yet to confirm if any arrests were made during the operation, but sources say the move is part of a broader “surgical” campaign to eliminate galamsey operations across all three military commands in Ghana.
The discovery of Abrewa Ne Nkran has raised fresh concerns about the scale and coordination of illegal mining activities in Ghana. Stakeholders in the region have also pointed to the broader socio-economic implications of such hidden settlements, especially when they grow unchecked and begin to influence local economies and communities.
This latest crackdown sends a strong message about the government’s renewed commitment to tackling galamsey and preserving the country’s natural resources. As more operations unfold, it remains to be seen how effective this strategy will be in uprooting the deep-rooted networks fueling illegal mining across the country.
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