Illegal mining activities have severely impacted over 30 hectares of the Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, causing significant environmental damage and polluting the Offin River, which flows through the reserve.
During an inspection of the affected areas, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Mr. Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, described the destruction as “heartbreaking.” He disclosed that illegal mining has affected 44 other forest reserves, with the total degraded area equivalent to 7,500 football fields.
As part of enforcement efforts, authorities have seized 15 excavators and arrested two Chinese nationals linked to illegal mining in the Offin Shelterbelt. Additionally, seven Chinese individuals and eight Ghanaian accomplices were arrested last week while operating illegally on the Ankobra River and have since been remanded in custody.
The Minister reaffirmed President Mahama’s commitment to tackling illegal mining, assuring that all necessary measures would be taken to combat the menace. He revealed that the government is restructuring the mining licensing process to involve community leaders and regulatory bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minerals Commission. Under the new framework, a proposal will be sent to Parliament to revoke the President’s authority to grant mining licenses in forest reserves.
Beyond targeting illegal miners, the government also intends to pursue their financiers and those renting out excavators for illegal operations, ensuring that all individuals involved face the full force of the law.
In response to a request he received for the release of arrested Chinese miners, the Minister warned that only the President has the power to make such decisions and cautioned against interference in law enforcement actions.
To restore the devastated landscape, the Minister announced the launch of his “Tree for Life” initiative, which will focus on reclaiming the Offin Shelterbelt through tree planting.
Illegal mining has plagued the Offin Shelterbelt Forest Reserve since 2010. Research indicates that within five years, approximately 2.5 km² (4.4%) of the reserve was degraded, leading to the destruction of cocoa farms and water sources. The recurring challenge of evicting miners, only for them to return, highlights the urgent need for a sustainable approach to forest conservation.
The situation has been further complicated by Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, issued in November 2022, which permits mining in forest reserves, including biodiversity hotspots. Environmental groups have criticized this policy, arguing that it worsens environmental degradation and undermines efforts to combat illegal mining. They have called for its revocation and the implementation of stricter protective measures.
With the government’s renewed commitment to tackling illegal mining and improving regulatory frameworks, authorities hope to safeguard Ghana’s forest reserves and promote sustainable environmental management.
