The government has cleared illegal miners from eight of nine forest reserves previously marked as no-go zones due to severe environmental damage, President John Dramani Mahama has disclosed.
Addressing the Global Mining Summit on Monday, June 2, 2025, President Mahama described the move as a significant step in Ghana's renewed commitment to restoring degraded lands and advancing responsible mining practices.
He said the operation is part of a broader national strategy to ensure environmental sustainability and safeguard natural ecosystems. "Artisanal miners are not enemies of the state.
If given the right training and support, they can become partners in our development efforts," he said. "By working together with small-scale miners, we aim to reclaim our forest reserves and restore our rivers." The President added that river guards have been deployed to clamp down on illegal mining along riverbanks and within water bodies.
