The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has raised a serious alarm over the ongoing destruction of Ghana's forests due to illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking in Parliament, he warned that the country's forests and water bodies are facing an unprecedented threat, largely caused by illegal mining activities, which continue to escalate despite efforts to curb them. "Ghana's forests continue to be under serious threats of deforestation and forest degradation due to factors known to all of us.
Ghana is currently faced with an unprecedented threat to our forest resources and water bodies due largely to illegal small-scale mining activities," he stated.
He described the situation as a national crisis with severe consequences for public health and security, stressing that urgent intervention is needed. "This situation has assumed crisis proportion of dire national security and public health consequences that require immediate attention." According to him, a shocking 44 out of Ghana's 288 forest reserves are under direct attack by illegal miners who are heavily armed and violent, making it nearly impossible for forestry officials to stop their operations. "Mr Speaker, it will interest you to know that out of the 288 forest reserves, a whopping 44 of these forest reserves are under serious attack by illegal miners.
