Accra – Ghana’s fight against illegal mining has reached a critical point, with nine forest reserves now completely taken over by illegal miners, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah has revealed.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, February 19, the Minister painted a grim picture of the situation, stating that illegal mining—popularly known as galamsey—continues to devastate the country’s forests and water bodies.
“Ghana is currently faced with an unprecedented threat to our forest resources and water bodies due largely to illegal, small-scale mining activities. This situation has assumed crisis proportions,” he said.
He further disclosed that the extent of the destruction has left the Forestry Commission unable to access the affected reserves.
“Over nine out of the 44 forest reserves have been completely taken over by these illegal mining thugs with impunity. The Forestry Commission no longer has access to these forest reserves,” he told lawmakers.
Despite the severity of the situation, Mr. Buah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling illegal mining, pledging that the new administration will not relent in its efforts to reclaim Ghana’s natural resources.
