With the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, MP, promising to employ all legal measures to battle the threat, the Ghanaian government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending illegal mining.
The Minister presented a five-point plan to combat illegal mining during a news briefing on Thursday, April 3, 2025:
• Reforming the Licensing Regime – Ensuring transparency and accountability in mining permits.
• Strengthening Law Enforcement – Intensifying crackdowns on illegal operations and prosecuting offenders.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration – Partnering with traditional leaders, local authorities, and civil society to promote sustainable mining.
• Reclamation of Degraded Lands – Restoring mined-out areas and enforcing responsible mining practices.
• Alternative Livelihoods for Mining Communities – Supporting affected communities with sustainable income sources.
Significant Progress Made
Seven of the nine forest reserves that were formerly under the hands of armed illegal miners have been returned to the authorities. Jimira and Jimira Extension, Afao Hills, Tano Anwia, Ofin Shelterbelt, Anhwiaso East & Anhwiaso South, and Subri are among the recovered reserves.
Asenayo and Desiri, the two remaining reserves, are being reclaimed.
Current and Upcoming Activities
• Joint military-forestry operations have led to 100 excavators, 3 bulldozers, and 4 vehicles seized.
• Geological surveys of mineral-rich areas will be conducted.
• Geotagging and geofencing of excavators to monitor their use.
• Public education campaigns on environmental protection, integrated into school curricula.
• Decentralization of mining licenses to improve transparency and reduce corruption.
Call for National Support
Hon. Buah called on civil society, local assemblies, and traditional leaders to back the effort to stop illegal mining.
He underlined that “We must safeguard Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.”
Source: newsthemegh.com