Nine of Ghana’s Forest Reserves Taken Over By “Untouchable” Thugs- Lands Minister

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has disclosed that of the 288 forest reserves, 44 are under complete attack.

Of that number, nine are operated by ‘untouchable’ thugs, according to a report he cited during an engagement with the Occupant of the Golden Stool, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

The Ellembelle Constituency Parliamentary representative said three of the nine are located in the Ashanti Region.

“These thugs are unstoppable. No one is able to restrain them and they are wreaking havoc on our forests.”

The issue of illegal mining in Forest reserves is one of the three major challenges confronting the country’s natural resources and which he seeks to put an end to.

The newly appointed Minister visited the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi on February 14, 2025, to seek counsel and guidance from the Asantehene on how to deal with them.

Other Challenges
He outlined the remaining challenges to include the issuance of licence for mining and contamination of water bodies by irresponsible mining.

“The level of pollution of our water bodies is concerning. Currently, the turbidity level has risen to 5000-12000 meaning that it would be next to impossible for it to be treated for distribution to homes. If measures are not instituted, we will face water shortages in the near future.”

On the issue of licences to miners, he said the exclusion of traditional authorities creates a huge room for the destruction of farm crops.

“If chiefs are involved in the process of issuing licences, they will be able to streamline processes to ensure that cash crops and other important food crops are protected.”

He also touched on the need to provide training to the youth on responsible mining in order not to render them jobless as he reiterated President John Dramani Mahama’s commitment to banning mining in forest reserves.

“With the ‘Green for Life’ campaign, we hope to reclaim the destroyed forest reserves and restore the clean water bodies.”

However, he reckons that their objective will not be successful without the guidance of the Asantehene.

“We can’t achieve anything on our own. We need the direction and blessing of Otumfuo to be successful.”

Solution
As a solution to illegal mining, Otumfuo suggested that the government grant a moratorium and amnesty to all galamsey kingpins and use the opportunity to document them, train them and assign concessions away from water bodies and river bodies to them to work on.

These miners must be engaged in a contract with the government to sell their extracts to the state, he added.

“If we don’t take an approach like this, it will be difficult to deal with the menace…What we normally see is the arrest of young men undertaking the mining while the superpowers who are responsible for the funding are not sought. This approach is ineffective. Let us institute amnesty and engage the powers behind the galamsey, train them in responsible mining and reassign them a concession.”

Exploration
The King also called for reforms in the minerals exploration regime. According to him, the current regime fosters illegal mining.

“People engage in illegal mining under the pretence of carrying out minerals exploration.”

His Majesty suggested that the Minerals Commission undertake the exploration and document it for persons who come in for mining leases.

Conference
Otumfuo also announced his plans to organize a responsible mining conference to educate stakeholders on mining.

He said the plan was to host it in June 2025 in partnership with the World Bank and other international agencies.

“We have planned everything,” he added.

Lands
The King used the opportunity to condemn the capture of state lands by government officials.

“The lands were taken by the state for a purpose. Government officials taking them is unacceptable and wrong.”

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini