President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, has reaffirmed his commitment to revoking all mining leases issued by the previous administration for operations in forest reserves.
Additionally, the government will prohibit the issuance of new mining leases in all forest reserves.
He made this announcement while swearing in several ministers at the Presidency on January 30, 2025.
The President also dismissed allegations that certain individuals within his government had authorized a group of three to mine in the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve.
“The government will ban the issuance of mining leases in all forest reserves and promptly revoke all leases issued under the previous government. The government has not given any person or group of persons authority to mine in these reserves,” the president said.
He directed the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, the Interior Minister, and the Attorney General to collaborate and take immediate action to arrest and prosecute individuals found engaging in mining activities within forest reserves.
