Forestry Commission achieves major success in reclaiming Asenayo Forest Reserve from illegal miners

The Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Dr. Hugh Brown, has revealed that the government has achieved another significant milestone with the successful reclamation of the Asenayo Forest Reserve.

He said this during a just-ended inter-agency retreat organized by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources last Wednesday in Accra, hailing it as a testament to the effectiveness of interagency collaboration.

According to Dr. Hugh Brown, this is an ongoing effort to clamp down on illegal mining activities and protect Ghana’s forest reserves and water bodies.

He said the Asenayo reserve, previously overrun by destructive mining operations, has now been fully secured and placed under state protection.

This development highlights the government's unwavering commitment to protecting Ghana's vital forest resources, and earlier successes under Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, who confirmed the recovery of seven other reserves through joint military-police-Forestry Commission task force operations.

Dr. Hugh Brown added that the systematic reclamation strategy combining intelligence-led enforcement, community engagement, and ecological restoration has become a model for sustainable natural resource governance.

He said with only one reserve remaining under illegal occupation, the Ministry affirms its commitment to total recovery, stating: “No forest land will be ceded to criminals. We are mobilizing all resources to reclaim the final target and ensure lasting protection for these critical ecosystems.”