Mahama: Illegal miners removed from eight forest reserves as gov’t steps up sustainable mining reforms

President John Dramani Mahama announced a significant achievement in Ghana's fight against illegal mining. Illegal miners have been cleared from eight of the nine forest reserves affected by environmental damage.

Speaking at the Global Mining Summit in Accra, he called this a landmark moment. It marks Ghana’s renewed effort to restore degraded lands and promote responsible mining practices.

“This is a major milestone in our commitment to reclaim our environment,” President Mahama said. The clearance operation is part of a national strategy for ecological protection and sustainable resource extraction.

The President emphasized that small-scale miners can contribute positively to Ghana’s development. “Artisanal miners are not enemies of the state,” he stated. With proper training and support, they can be valuable allies in development.

He expressed confidence that together they could reclaim forest reserves and restore water purity. To enhance regulatory enforcement, the government has deployed "river guards." These guards will protect Ghana’s waterways from illegal mining activities.

President Mahama also announced strict new measures for excavators, often linked to environmental harm. “We will track all excavators to prevent their use in illegal mining,” he stressed.

He noted that Ghana has more excavators than the rest of Africa combined. Under the new regulations, no one can import an excavator without a valid permit.

Additionally, the government is partnering with small-scale mining associations for land reclamation efforts. This signals a shift toward collaborative and environmentally responsible policies in the mining sector.