Tbe government has successfully flushed out illegal miners from eight of nine no-go forest reserves, President John Dramani Mahama has reported.In his view, this is a major milestone in the country's fight against the illegal mining menace popularly known as galamsey.Addressing the Global Mining Summit in Accra on Monday, June 2, 2025, President Mahama said government was unwavering in restoring the purity of polluted water bodies, restoring depleted forest reserves and reclaiming degraded lands.President Mahama (right) and Otumfuo Osei Tutu II (second from right) welcoming Former President Agyekum Kufuor on stage Photo:Victor A.
BuxtonAccording to him, the small scale mining sector holds a major place in Ghana's development if properly harnessed."Artisanal miners are not enemies of the state.
If properly trained and supported, they can be allies in our development," the President said."Working together with the small-scale mining sector, we will reclaim our forest reserves and restore the purity of our water bodies."To achieve this, President Mahama said there would be a major shift in the permitting regime to ensure accountability."We will track excavators to know whether they are being used for illegal mining.
Ghana currently has more excavators than the rest of Africa.
