Foresters call for new stringent legal framework to regulate mining in forest reserves

The Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF) has urged government to expedite the development of a new, robust legal framework to regulate mining in forest reserves following the decision to revoke L.I. 2462 and its amendment, L.I. 2501.

This recommendation was captured in a communique issued after the Institute’s 28th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), under the theme: “Foresters at the Forefront of Change: Tackling Mining Challenges and Advancing Forest Restoration.”

GIF proposed that the new legal instrument must strictly outlaw all forms of surface and alluvial mining in forest reserves, citing the extensive destruction these activities have caused to Ghana’s forests and water bodies.

Instead, the Institute recommended that only restricted deep-cast mining, which allows for tighter oversight, should be permitted, and only within designated production forest reserves.

The Institute further stressed that forests serving as watersheds, biodiversity hotspots, or areas providing essential ecological services must receive absolute protection under the new law.

Key Concerns Highlighted

Data presented at the AGM showed significant ecological deterioration:

• Between 2015 and 2024, open forests increased while closed forests diminished, indicating worsening degradation.
• 50 protected areas, including 49 forest reserves and the Bui National Park, have been affected by mining activities.
• By early 2025, armed miners had occupied nine forest reserves, with five still under their control by October.
  Severely affected reserves include Apamprama, Oda River, Offin Shelterbelt, Tano Anwia, and Tano Nimri.

GIF also noted that some foresters had suffered fatalities or severe injuries in their attempts to stop illegal mining.

Policy and Enforcement Recommendations

While commending government for revoking about 300 small-scale mining licenses and pursuing reforms, the Institute argued that certain directives have hindered progress, particularly the ban on burning excavators in forest reserves.

GIF insisted that on-site destruction of excavators and equipment used in illegal mining should resume, describing it as the most effective deterrent, and noting that the law already allows it.

The communique attributed illegal mining to factors such as greed, political interference, foreign involvement, corruption, and weak enforcement.

GIF also condemned the recent attack on the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) at Hwidiem, which enabled the escape of arrested miners and the release of seized vehicles, and praised the security agencies for their quick intervention.

Call to Action

GIF expressed support for plans to transform the Forestry Commission into a paramilitary institution capable of confronting armed illegal miners.

The Institute called for:

• Expanded forest restoration initiatives
• Stronger public education on the impact of illegal mining
• A national-level awareness campaign led by the NCCE

GIF emphasised that Ghana’s forests remain under severe threat and urged swift legislative and enforcement action to prevent further ecological collapse.

ADVERTISEMENT