The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced the revocation of all small-scale mining licences issued after December 7, 2024, citing irregularities in the issuance process. Speaking at a joint press briefing on March 19, 2025, Mr Buah stated that these licences were granted without due process, making their cancellation necessary. […]
Seven out of the nine forest reserves that were completely overrun by illegal miners have been successfully reclaimed, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has announced. Speaking at a press briefing in Accra today, the minister revealed that a joint security task force—comprising the military, police, and the Forestry Commission’s rapid […]
A deadly confrontation between two rival groups of illegal timber loggers in the forested area of Sehwi Agyemadiem in the Juaboso District of the Western North Region has left five people dead and several others severely injured. The violent clash, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, was reportedly triggered by tensions over control […]
A collaborative operation between the Rapid Response Unit (RRU) of the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Ghana Armed Forces has resulted in the seizure of 10 excavators, a bulldozer, and the arrest of four individuals involved in illegal mining within the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve in the Western North Region. The crackdown, carried out on […]
Seventy-three illegal miners, popularly referred to as galamseyers, have been arrested in the Tilli Forest, which spans the Bawku West and Nabdam districts in the Upper East Region. The miners, who had been hiding in the forest while engaging in illegal mining, were also operating in the Red Volta River, which passes through the area. […]
A government advisory team on a fact-finding mission to assess the impact of illegal mining (galamsey) faced stiff resistance in parts of the Western and Central regions as they immobilised and seized equipment. The operation, aimed at curbing environmental destruction, sparked angry reactions from illegal miners and some officials of the governing National Democratic Congress […]
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has painted a disturbing picture of Ghana’s fight against illegal mining (galamsey). According to him, illegal miners have taken over nine forest reserves, preventing the Forestry Commission from accessing them. The Minister told Parliament that galamsey continues to cause severe destruction to Ghana’s lands and […]
The Rapid Response Team of the Bekwai Forest District has burnt an excavator, changfan machines, and water pump machines at the Apamprama Forest Reserve. This was part of efforts to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the area. This was disclosed by Bekwai Forest District Manager, Ernest Adofo, in an interview with Adom News […]
The Minister-designate for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, has called for a thoughtful and phased approach to addressing key environmental challenges during his appearance before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, January 30. The nominee touched on critical issues such as plastic waste management, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and securing climate funding, offering […]
Food and Agric Minister Bryan Acheampong says declaring a state of emergency to combat illegal mining aka “galamsey,” would be ineffective without the active involvement of local communities. In an interview on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition the Minister highlighted the need for a national dialogue that engages all sectors of society to confront […]
A total of 18 changfang machines which were being used for illegal gold mining were destroyed on the first day of the renewed military operation dubbed “Operation Halt 2”, as part of the fight against illegal mining commonly known as galamsey [gather and sell]. Aside the changfans, 10 water pumps were also destroyed by the […]
Convener of the Media Coalition Against Galamsey, Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, has described the government’s recent actions to combat illegal mining or galamsey, as a “refreshing change.” He however noted that there are still things that the government ought to do to ensure that the menace is halted. Speaking on Joy FM’s Newsnight on Thursday, October 10, Dr […]
