Post by : Saif Rahman

Ghana has made a decisive move to safeguard its ecological balance by prohibiting all mining activities within forest reserves. This initiative is aimed at preventing harm to rivers, woodlands, and agricultural land from reckless and unlawful mining endeavors. The Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology announced that the ban took effect this week.

As Africa’s top gold producer, Ghana wrestles with a mounting environmental crisis. In recent years, small-scale and illegal mining activities, known locally as ‘galamsey,’ have proliferated at an alarming rate. Such practices have devastated vast tracts of forest land, contaminated rivers with hazardous substances, and harmed cocoa farms that provide livelihoods for many families.

The government declared that mining within forest reserves will no longer be permitted under any circumstances, reversing a previous 2022 policy that allowed limited extraction in protected areas. Officials believe the earlier regulations compromised forest protection and hindered efforts to curb environmental degradation.

Illegal mining activities now extend across 13 out of Ghana’s 16 regions, impacting crucial cocoa-growing zones such as Ashanti, Western, and Eastern regions. Rivers that once supplied clean drinking water have become polluted and hazardous. Deforestation has intensified, threatening climate stability and agricultural security.

Major mining corporations have also felt the adverse effects. Companies like Gold Fields, AngloGold Ashanti, Newmont, and Asante Gold report that illegal miners frequently intrude into their licensed territories. Consequently, these firms have invested substantially in security measures, surveillance technologies, and community engagement initiatives.

The government has attempted various strategies to address the crisis, including the licensing of small-scale miners, establishing community mining initiatives, and deploying security forces to curb illegal operations. However, environmental destruction has persisted, igniting public discontent and protests nationwide.

Acting Environment Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah emphasized the necessity of healthy forests for Ghana’s sustainability. He articulated that forests contribute to rainfall, support agriculture, and serve local communities, while clean rivers ensure safe drinking water for future generations.

Environmental advocates have lauded the ban but cautioned that it represents merely the initial step. Daryl Bosu from A Rocha Ghana noted that revoking mining rights in forest reserves provides Ghana an opportunity to heal previous damages. He urged the country to also address illegal deforestation, encroachment from farming, and invest in long-term forest rehabilitation efforts.

This ban signifies a pivotal change in Ghana’s environmental policy, underscoring that safeguarding nature, water, and agricultural resources takes precedence over immediate financial gains. Many citizens are now hopeful that the government will rigorously enforce the new regulations and contribute to the restoration of forests for the sake of future generations.

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