Over 10,000 illegal settlers have been forcibly removed from the Subri Forest Reserve in Ghana’s Western Region as part of a major operation to reclaim protected lands. Authorities revealed that the forest had become a lawless area, largely under the control of a heavily armed criminal group known as the Budos. The Budos gang is accused of extorting payments from anyone attempting to access the forest reserve, disrupting both conservation efforts and public safety. Their activities included illegal logging and poaching, which contributed to the degradation of the forest’s ecosystem.
Ghanaian officials emphasized that the operation, carried out by the Forestry Commission and other security agencies, is crucial for restoring order to the protected area. The removal of the illegal settlers is seen as a significant step toward safeguarding biodiversity and preventing further criminal activities within the reserve.
Authorities have vowed to strengthen enforcement measures to ensure that the Subri Forest Reserve, one of the country’s vital ecological zones, is protected from future encroachments. The government’s focus is now on revitalizing the reserve and maintaining its environmental integrity.
