The Bekwai Circuit Court has granted bail to 31 persons, made up of 28 Chinese nationals and three Ghanaians, who are facing charges over an alleged attempt to engage in illegal mining activities in the Apamprama Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region.
The accused were arrested late last year by the Forestry Commission after reportedly establishing a camp within the reserve in preparation for mining operations. They were subsequently remanded in police custody following their initial appearance before the court.
Bail was granted after the court heard arguments from counsel for the accused and the prosecution. Each accused person was admitted to bail in the sum of GH₵200,000 with two justified Ghanaian sureties. The court also ordered the deposit of Ghana Cards of the sureties and the passports of all the accused persons.
The Registrar and the investigator were directed to ensure strict compliance with the bail conditions. Authorities say the Apamprama Forest Reserve has suffered significant degradation, with illegal miners often operating under the guise of reclamation activities.