The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has disclosed that 44 of Ghana’s forest reserves are under severe threat from heavily armed illegal small-scale miners, commonly known as galamsey operators.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, February 20, the minister described the situation as a growing crisis, warning that Ghana’s forests are facing unprecedented deforestation and degradation primarily due to illegal mining.
“Our forests and water bodies are under serious attack, largely driven by galamsey activities. This has escalated into a national emergency with dire security and public health implications,” he cautioned.
Buah explained that the Forestry Commission’s rapid response team and forest guards are unable to confront the miners effectively due to their lack of advanced weaponry.
“Mr. Speaker, out of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves, 44 are under serious attack by illegal miners. These miners are heavily armed with sophisticated weapons and operate with a large number of excavators. This makes it nearly impossible for forest guards and response teams to control them, as they do not have the necessary firepower,” he stated.
The minister further revealed that in over nine of these affected reserves, illegal miners have completely taken over, preventing Forestry Commission officials from gaining access.
He called for urgent intervention to address the growing crisis and protect the nation’s forest resources.
