The Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF) has cautioned that illegal mining continues to spread across the country’s protected reserves, with armed groups still occupying key forest areas despite stepped-up government interventions.
In a statement issued on November 20, GIF said 50 protected reserves, 49 forest reserves and the Bui National Park — have been affected by mining activities.
At the start of 2025, armed miners had seized control of nine forest reserves, restricting access to forestry staff.
By October, five reserves — including Apamprama, Offin Shelterbelt, Oda River, Tano Anwia and Tano Nimri, remained under the control of armed miners.
GIF said foresters had been killed or suffered serious injuries while attempting to stop illegal mining operations.
It commended staff as “unsung heroes” working under life-threatening conditions, noting that out of 1,190 illegal miners arrested between 2023 and October 2025, only 35 have been successfully prosecuted.
The Institute commended the government for recent measures, including the revocation of about 300 small-scale mining licences and the tabling of a new Legislative Instrument 2501 to replace L.I. 2462 which regulates mining in forest reserves.
However, it said the fight against illegal mining continued to be undermined by greed, weak enforcement, political interference, corruption and the involvement of foreign nationals.
GIF said President John Dramani Mahama’s February directive to seize, rather than burn, excavators found in forest reserves had not helped, arguing that heavy equipment was difficult to remove from remote sites and often ended up back in the hands of miners.
The group recommended a return to burning excavators and other equipment found in forest reserves, insisting that existing forest laws permit such action.
It also called for a new law allowing only restricted and deep-cast mining in designated production forests, with a clear ban on all surface and alluvial mining.
Other recommendations included expanding forest restoration efforts, intensifying public education on the impact of galamsey, and transforming the Forestry Commission into a paramilitary institution capable of confronting armed mining groups.
GIF also condemned a recent attack on the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) at Hwidiem, where detained miners and seized vehicles were forcibly released.
“Nothing can justify the destruction of our forests and water bodies,” GIF said. “Let us not normalize the abnormal.”
The statement was signed by GIF National President, Dr. Abukari Nantogmah Attah and National Secretary, Dr. Paul Osei-Tutu.
By Benjamin Aidoo
