The Bekwai Circuit Court has granted bail to 31 people accused of attempting to carry out illegal mining activities in the Apamprama Forest Reserve, a protected area in the Ashanti Region that has suffered years of environmental damage.
The accused include 28 Chinese nationals and three Ghanaians who were arrested late last year after forestry officials discovered they had set up a camp deep inside the reserve.
Investigators say the group was preparing to begin mining operations when officers from the Forestry Commission intervened.
Following their arrest, the suspects were put before the court last week and remanded in police custody.
Their continued detention has drawn attention from families and community members who have been closely following the case, especially given the growing public concern about illegal mining and forest destruction.
On Tuesday, counsel for the accused, Dominic Kwadwo Osei, moved a bail application on their behalf.
The request was strongly opposed by prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Department, who argued that the seriousness of the alleged offence and the environmental impact required caution.
After listening to arguments from both sides, the court granted bail to all 31 accused persons in the sum of GH¢200,000 each, with two sureties to be justified.
The court directed that all sureties must be Ghanaians and ordered that their Ghana Cards be deposited at the court registry.
In addition, the passports of all accused persons are to be surrendered to prevent them from leaving the country.
The Registrar and the assigned investigator have been tasked to ensure strict compliance with the bail conditions.
Environmental officials say the case is significant, noting that nearly half of the Apamprama Forest Reserve has already been degraded, often by miners claiming to be carrying out reclamation work.