A member of the Forestry Commission's Rapid Response Team is in critical condition after being ambushed by armed illegal miners in the Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region. The attack occurred when the team entered the reserve to halt new illicit mining operations.

The miners, armed with assault rifles and machetes, laid an ambush in the bush, catching the team off guard. The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, suffered a severe machete wound to the knee and is currently undergoing medical treatment at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi.

This incident highlights the dangers faced by those combating illegal mining in Ghana. The Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve has been a hotspot for galamsey operations, posing a significant threat to the country's forest reserves and water bodies.

The Forestry Commission, in collaboration with security agencies, has been working to curb the destruction of protected areas. However, authorities have yet to comment on the attack or confirm whether any arrests have been made.