Ghana’s Lands Minister Touts Success in Fight Against Illegal Gold Mining

Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah

Source: Africa Publicity

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources in Ghana, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has announced significant achievements in the Ghanaian government’s fight against illegal mining known in the local parlance as galamsey. 

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday, July 23, the Minister acknowledged that while progress is commendable, more efforts are required to fully eradicate the menace.

 

During a televised press briefing, the Minister revealed that all nine critical forest reserves, previously seized by armed illegal miners, have been successfully reclaimed.

 

These areas, once designated as ‘red zones,’ had been a major concern for the government, civil society organizations (CSOs), and environmental advocates. However, the Minister confirmed that these regions are no longer under illegal occupation.

 

“Within forest reserves alone, over 5,500 hectares (equivalent to 7,500 football fields) have been degraded. I am pleased to announce that, in collaboration with the law enforcement agencies, the Forestry Commission has successfully repossessed all nine red-zoned forest reserves previously occupied by armed gangs protecting illegal miners,” the Minister stated.

 

He cautioned, however, that the Ministry remains vigilant in monitoring these reserves to prevent reoccupation by persistent illegal miners.

The Ministry implemented its flagship “Tree for Life” reforestation program, officially launched by H.E. John Dramani Mahama at Nkawie in the Ashanti Region in March 2025. The initiative gained further momentum on June 5 when the President personally led nationwide tree-planting activities, reaffirming the government’s commitment to plant 30 million trees. Current progress reports indicate that as of mid-July 2025, approximately 7.6 million seedlings (25% of the target) have been successfully distributed and planted nationwide. Notably, the private sector has contributed significantly to these efforts, accounting for 2.3 million of the planted seedlings.

 

The planting campaign continues actively, with authorities confident of achieving the 30 million tree target by the conclusion of the rainy season in October 2025.

 

In fulfillment of its comprehensive environmental protection commitments, government also launched the Blue Water Initiative within its first 120 days to address water pollution from illegal mining activities. The program has trained and deployed over 980 personnel to date. The initiative remains on track to achieve its target of 2,000 trained personnel by the end of the year.

 

The Blue Water Guards operate under a carefully designed non-confrontational strategy, combining environmental monitoring with community engagement. Their dual mandate focuses on protecting water resources while educating local populations about environmental conservation and the detrimental effects of illegal mining practices.

 

The initiative’s second phase will implement comprehensive water restoration measures, beginning with feasibility studies currently underway.

 

This next stage will prioritize de-chemicalization processes to return the polluted water bodies to their pristine conditions, demonstrating the government’s commitment to both immediate action and sustainable, long-term environmental rehabilitation.

 

Tracking and Impounding Excavators

 

To combat the threat posed by excavators, the Ministry has implemented a monitoring and tracking system that surveys excavators from the point of importation. So far, 1,200 excavators have been impounded at the port pending validation. A pilot project is already tracking 191 excavators in the Minerals Commission’s dedicated control room. Once cleared, these excavators will be enrolled on the Minerals Commission’s GPS tracking system for real-time monitoring.

 

“The development of a centralized digital platform, the Ghana Mine Repository and Tracking Software, is at an advanced stage. This platform will serve as the single point of integration for all relevant agencies, including Ministry of Finance (GRA-Customs Division), the DVLA, the Ministry of Transport, the Minerals Commission, National Security, and the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat. It will ensure transparency, prevent duplication, and provide authorized institutions with real-time access to permit history, equipment location, and operational compliance,” the Minister explained.

 

Reforming the Licensing Regime

 

The Minister also announced ongoing legislative and policy reforms, which are 85% complete, to sanitize the mining sector. These include amendments to the Minerals and Mining Act (2006, Act 703) and the Minerals and Mining Policy (2014). Key changes will:

Reduce the duration of prospecting licenses from perpetuity to a defined minimal period.

 

Shorten mining leases from 30 years to a more limited term.

Abolish Development Agreements and enforce Community Development Agreements (CDAs), requiring mining firms to allocate an agreed percentage of gross revenue to community development projects.

 

Arrests, Seizures, and Enforcement

 

Through joint operations with the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Armed Forces, and National Security Secretariat, authorities have:

Seized 425 excavators and other machinery.

Made 1,345 arrests, with prosecutions underway.

 

Confiscated 177 excavators, 4 bulldozers, 12 vehicles, 43 motorcycles, 155 pumping machines, 184 changfangs, 15 detector machines, and 10 heavy-duty generators in forest reserves alone.

 

Arrested 286 suspects in nationwide operations

Additionally, 279 trucks conveying illegal lumber were intercepted, fined, and the illegal wood, confiscated and auctioned.

 

The Minister emphasized that the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) remains the sole coordinating body for all anti-galamsey operations.

 

Alternative Livelihoods: rCOMSDEP Initiative

The government will soon launch the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP) to provide alternative livelihoods in mining communities. Building on lessons from past initiatives including the NAELP and the Community Mining Scheme, rCOMSDEP will serve as Ghana’s flagship program to reform artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) through community ownership, structured regulation, and sustainable practices.

 

At its core, the programme will foster the creation of locally owned mining cooperatives, providing members with professional training, legal concessions, and access to shared processing facilities equipped with modern recovery technologies and water treatment systems.

One critical area of importance is geological investigations, which sits with the Ghana Geological Survey Authority (GGSA).

 

The Authority supports small-scale miners with data on mineralised areas to assist with proper and regulated mining activities, and we intend to re-tool the Authority to deliver on its mandate.

 

Concluding his address, the Minister reiterated that the government supports responsible mining but remains resolute in combating illegal activities.

 

“The fight against illegal mining is a marathon, not a sprint. Let me assure Ghanaians that we remain steadfast, committed, and focused on winning this battle. With the political will of H.E. President John Dramani Mahama, we will restore our water bodies to blue, our forests to green, and preserve our environment for future generations,” he affirmed.