The Ghanaian government has made significant strides in reclaiming forest reserves that had been overtaken by illegal mining activities, according to recent reports. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, announced that seven out of the nine forest reserves seized by illegal miners have been successfully reclaimed through sustained operations conducted over the past month. These operations, carried out by a joint crack team of military and police personnel, with support from the Forestry Commission’s Rapid Response Team, also led to the confiscation of at least 60 excavators used by the illegal miners.

During a press briefing in Accra, jointly addressed by Mr. Buah, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Moammed, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, the Minister emphasized the government's firm stance that forest reserves remain a strict “no-go area” for all forms of mining activities. Mr. Buah assured that efforts would continue to reclaim the remaining two forest reserves from illegal miners.

The urgency of the situation was highlighted on February 20 when the Lands and Natural Resources Minister informed Parliament that 44 of the country’s 288 forest reserves were under severe threat from illegal miners, with nine reserves already under their control. This alarming situation has prompted numerous stakeholders, including environmental activists, to call for stringent measures to curb the activities of these illegal miners.

Mr. Buah noted the progress made by security agencies in combating the galamsey operators, stating, “We are making progress in taking back our forest reserves, and with the support of all stakeholders, we will safeguard our forest reserves.”

In addition to reclaiming forest reserves, the government is taking steps to prevent future illegal mining activities. The LNR Minister announced that the government has initiated the process to revoke the Environmental Protection (Mining in Forest Reserves) Regulations, L.I. 2462, which currently grants the President the authority to approve mining activities in protected forest reserves.

To further control illegal mining, the government plans to impose stricter regulations on the importation, use, and monitoring of excavators. Mr. Buah expressed concern over the high volume of excavator imports, noting that in 2024 alone, approximately $6.2 billion worth of excavators were imported into the country, making it the third most imported item. The Lands Ministry intends to collaborate more closely with other ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), such as the Transport Ministry and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), to regulate the importation of excavators.

The government also plans to ban the fabrication and importation of floating devices used for mining in water bodies. Furthermore, all community mining schemes established by the previous government have been disbanded due to their failure to benefit local mining communities. These schemes will be replaced with Cooperative Mining Schemes, which are designed to ensure greater participation and benefit for local community members. According to Mr. Buah, these Cooperative Mining Schemes will include training programs for local residents to enable them to own and operate mines for their own benefit. A committee reviewing the small-scale mining sector has recommended the introduction of Community Mining Cooperatives to ensure that local communities are the primary beneficiaries.