Angry Youth Block Roads in Samreboi Over Arrest of Illegal Miners
Protesters loyal to local chief block roads and attack workers, demanding release of illegal miners nabbed in forest reserve
- Angry youth blocked roads in Samreboi to protest the arrest of illegal miners
- Miners were caught by the Forestry Commission for operating in a protected forest reserve.
- Police called for reinforcements
Tensions ran high in Samreboi as irate youth staged a roadblock leading to the Sarmatex Timber Company, protesting the recent arrest of illegal miners caught operating in a nearby forest reserve.
According to reports by JoyNews’ Erastus Asare Donkor, the demonstrators—believed to be loyal to a local chief—disrupted traffic, allegedly attacked some company workers, and demanded the immediate release of the detained miners.
The arrests were made by the Forestry Commission’s Rapid Response Team, targeting illegal mining activities (commonly known as galamsey) within protected forest zones.
The protest erupted just days after the Inspector General of Police’s special anti-galamsey task force temporarily pulled out of the area, following a series of clampdowns on mining encampments. However, the miners reportedly returned soon after the task force’s withdrawal, prompting their capture.
Local police have since called for backup to manage the unrest, which continues to hamper movement throughout the town. While authorities remain silent on whether the miners will face prosecution, community leaders are being urged to step in and de-escalate the situation.
The incident highlights the ongoing struggle between law enforcement and illegal mining operations, which persist as a major threat to Ghana’s forest reserves.
