The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Armah Kofi Buah, has revealed that 44 out of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves have been completely destroyed by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking at a ministerial retreat in the Western Region, the Minister lamented that the scale of this environmental degradation poses a severe threat to both national and economic security.
He disclosed that since taking office, he has been briefed on nine specific “red zones”—devastated reserves that are currently inaccessible due to the presence of armed foreign miners.
The impact on Ghana’s landscape is staggering, with over 6,000 hectares of forest cover destroyed, an area equivalent to nearly 8,000 football fields.
Hon. Armah Kofi Buah noted that the Ashanti, Western, and Western North Regions are the most severely affected areas.
Furthermore, the financial burden of this crisis is immense, as land reclamation is expected to cost the state billions of dollars.
The Minister assured the public that the government remains committed to the fight against illegal mining through several targeted initiatives.
The government intends to sustain the Tree for Life initiative while creating 1,000 new jobs through the Forest and Water Guard program.
Additionally, the Minister stated that the government will complete stakeholder consultations on the draft Forest Wildlife Resource Management Bill and strengthen existing protection measures.
He emphasised the urgent need to recruit and better equip forest guards, noting with concern that several officers have been attacked or killed in the line of duty.
Traditional and regional leaders also voiced their concerns during the retreat. Nana Kobina Nketia V, President of the Western Regional House of Chiefs, expressed deep frustration over the exploitation of Ghana’s resources by foreigners and called for a fundamental rethink of how the nation protects its natural wealth for future generations.
The Western Regional Minister, Hon. Joseph Nelson, described the battle against galamsey as difficult but achievable, provided that enforcement agencies are properly empowered.
He explained that while he receives real-time reports of destruction to farms and water bodies, a lack of resources often makes it impossible for the Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) to respond immediately.
He concluded that if the nation is to treat galamsey as a true menace, the RCCs must be adequately resourced to confront the issue head-on.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
