President John Dramani Mahama has hinted at plans by his administration to ban the issuance of mining leases in all forest reserves.
This, he noted, forms part of efforts to protect the country’s natural environment from destruction.
Speaking at the swearing-in of the 3rd batch of ministers on Thursday, January 30, 2025, he assured Ghanaians that his government would also move swiftly to revoke all licenses issued for the same purpose under the previous government.
He asserted that there was a critical need to safeguard Ghana’s forests from illegal mining (galamsey) and unsustainable exploitation.
“It shall be the policy of this government to ban the issuance of leases for mining in all forest reserves. We must also move promptly to revoke all leases issued for the same purpose under the previous government.”
He further disclosed that he has not authorised any mining activities in forest reserves.
He has therefore instructed the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, the Minister for the Interior, and the Attorney General to take immediate action against those engaging in illegal mining.
“No member of this government is permitted to engage in any form of small-scale mining or galamsey. Any such persons will face swift and severe sanctions,” he said.
He also called for the arrest of all those engaged in illegal mining activities.
“I urge them to take immediate steps to ensure the arrest and prosecution of any persons or group of persons engaged in this illegality,” he ordered.
He stressed that no member of his administration is permitted to engage in small-scale mining or galamsey.
“As Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, you’ll be charged with the duty of safeguarding the environment from marauding galamseyers and managing our natural resources effectively,” he stated.
“In addition, let me state categorically that this government has not given any person or group of persons any authority to carry out any form of mining in these forest reserves, as recently reported,” he added.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
