President John Dramani Mahama has issued a directive instructing the anti-galamsey task force to seize excavators used in illegal small-scale mining operations instead of destroying them.
This new approach marks a departure from previous government measures, which faced backlash for burning equipment found at illegal mining sites.
During a meeting with the Christian Council at the Jubilee House on Friday, February 21, President Mahama emphasized the need for a more sustainable and structured strategy to tackle illegal mining.
“I’ve told them not to burn the excavators. They should confiscate them,” the President stated.
Highlighting the economic realities tied to small-scale mining, Mahama revealed that approximately 1.8 million Ghanaians are involved in the sector. While acknowledging its importance for livelihoods, he underscored the urgency of promoting responsible mining practices to curb environmental degradation.
He also raised concerns about the devastating impact of illegal mining on Ghana’s natural reserves, noting that 43 out of the country’s 280 forest reserves have been degraded by galamsey activities.
In response, the government has stepped up efforts to restore damaged lands. Recent operations in the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve have resulted in the confiscation of excavators and other mining equipment, signaling a renewed commitment to protecting the nation’s forests.
Ghana’s forests are facing an unprecedented crisis as illegal miners, commonly known as galamseyers, have taken over 44 forest reserves, devastating more than 5,000 hectares of land.
Lands and Natural Resources Minister, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, described the situation as a national emergency with dire environmental, security, and public health implications.
Addressing Parliament, the minister warned of the alarming scale of destruction:
“Ghana is currently facing an unprecedented threat to its forest resources and water bodies, largely due to illegal small-scale mining activities. This situation has assumed crisis proportions with national security and public health consequences that require immediate attention.”
He revealed that out of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves, 44 are under serious attack by illegal miners, leading to the destruction of land equivalent to approximately 7,000 standard football fields.
Even more concerning, he noted that “over nine out of the 44 forest reserves have been completely taken over by these illegal mining gangs with impunity. The Forestry Commission no longer has access to these reserves.”
To tackle the crisis, the government plans to implement a Blue Water Initiative, deploying river guards to rid Ghana’s water bodies of illegal mining activities.
“In the short term, we want to clear all water bodies from illegal mining activities through the use of river guards under our Blue Water Initiative. Details of this initiative will be provided during its launch in the coming weeks,” he stated.
Despite previous interventions—including military deployment, arrests, and regulatory measures—illegal mining remains a persistent threat. The minister acknowledged that weak law enforcement has contributed to the problem, highlighting the country’s low prosecution rates for offenders.
“In the last few years, the numbers on prosecution for illegal mining are not very encouraging. Out of over 800 cases, fewer than 40 people have been prosecuted,” he lamented.
The government is under increasing pressure to adopt tougher measures to combat illegal mining and protect Ghana’s forest reserves from further destruction.
