…as Forestry Commission discloses shocking details of ‘Abrewa Ne Kran’
By Gifty Arthur
The Western Regional manager of the Forestry Commission (FC), Nana Kwabena Opoku Bosompim, has revealed startling information about the Abrewa Ne Kran slum following a joint operation to dismantle the illegal settlement. The operation uncovered a total of nine brothels operating in the area.
In addition to brothels, the FC manager disclosed that the undocumented region also harbored an Independent Power Producer (IPP) that provided electricity to residents for a fee.
The presence of the IPP allowed inhabitants of the unstructured area in the deep Subri Forest to access electric power, despite the absence of official electricity connections.
Nana Bosompim detailed the unconventional setup within the slum, highlighting the use of a large changfan machine powered by diesel, centrally located to distribute electricity to the community.
Moreover, he emphasized the prevalence of occult practices and the presence of fetish priests who allegedly aided in identifying gold deposits within the Subri Forest.
Foreign nationals, primarily Nigerians, were reported to be managing the brothels, exploiting underage girls and forcing them into prostitution. Older Nigerian women would traffic these vulnerable girls into the area, setting exorbitant financial targets for them to meet through prostitution.
During a raid on the slum conducted by the Forestry Commission and soldiers from the Ghana Armed Forces, it was discovered that the population far exceeded expectations, with over 10,000 inhabitants originating from various regions within Ghana and neighboring West African countries.
As a result of the overwhelming numbers, the decision was made to evacuate the entire settlement and set it ablaze to prevent resettlement.
Various illegal activities, including human trafficking, drug trade, and occult rituals, were observed within the slum. Drug substances such as cannabis, tramadol, and cocaine were found, along with a mysterious drug known as RED, which has been targeted by health authorities.
Nana Bosompim highlighted the dire living conditions in the slum, noting the absence of essential services such as schools and hospitals. He described neighboring communities, including Wassa Nkran and Jerusalem, as providing shelter for illegal miners, with Wassa Nkran accommodating Guinean nationals involved in mining activities.
Despite previous raids in the area, the illegal settlement managed to persist and attract a large influx of individuals seeking economic opportunities. The discovery of extensive mining equipment and infrastructure further underscored the organized nature of the operations within the slum.
The Forestry Commission is committed to maintaining vigilance in the area to prevent the reestablishment of illegal activities and uphold the integrity of the Subri Forest reserve.