Mahama orders crackdown on illegal mining

President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministers of Lands and Natural Resources, Interior, and Attorney-General to arrest and prosecute individuals engaged in illegal mining nationwide.

He emphasized that his administration has not granted any lease for mining in forest reserves and warned that offenders would face legal consequences.

Speaking at the swearing-in of 14 ministers, Mahama announced a policy to ban mining leases in forest reserves and revoke those issued by the previous government. He also declared that no government official is permitted to engage in small-scale mining.

To combat illegal mining, the government plans to introduce a river guard initiative, reclaim degraded lands, and establish the Ghana Gold Board to maximize the country’s mineral wealth.