Illegal miners have been strongly warned by Defense Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah to avoid Ghana’s forest reserves.
Today, March 10, 2025, he made the following remark and shared it on his official Facebook page:
“There are no people living in the forest reserves! Avoid the galamsey and forest reserves in the name of God and Ghana. It’s sufficient to speak to the wise! Put an end to galamsey! Seek the required regulatory approvals if mining is something you’re interested in. We won’t speak much.
His caution coincides with fresh government initiatives to stop illicit mining, which is still endangering Ghana’s ecosystem.
The administration’s position on illicit mining has been reaffirmed by President Mahama. “My government is implementing proactive measures to deal with galamsey,” he said in his most recent State of the Nation Address.
“We cannot allow illegal mining to destroy our rivers, forests, and farmlands,” he added, underscoring the necessity for tougher enforcement. The entire weight of the law will be applied to those who continue to do so.
Concerns regarding illicit mining in protected areas have also been voiced by Mr. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.
At a recent event, he warned that illegal miners were threatening forty-four of Ghana’s forest reserves. He also gave the people the assurance that the government was acting decisively, saying, “We are coming after you.” You are misguided if you believe that you can ruin our ecosystem and get away with it.
There have been difficulties in the battle against illicit mining. Akwasi Agyei Annim, a Citi News Western Regional correspondent, was attacked on February 22, 2025, while reporting on illicit mining operations in the Breman-Adomanya forest in the Wassa Amenfi West District.
Media outlets and civil society organizations have condemned the incident and demanded that journalists covering environmental problems be given more protection.
Illegal mining continues to be a major problem in spite of government initiatives. To protect Ghana’s forests and waterways for coming generations, authorities have called on local communities, traditional leaders, and businesspeople to assist with enforcement actions.