A recent report by The Fourth Estate has revealed an alarming increase in the number of mining leases granted in Ghana’s forest reserves. The report portrays a stark contrast with Ghana’s environmental aims under President Akufo-Addo’s regime.
From 1992 to 2016, only five companies obtained permits to mine in forest reserves. However, in the past two years alone in President Akufo-Addo’s second term, 10 companies have been given the green light to mine in these protected areas, following the passage of Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462.
This raises concerns about the commitment of Ghana’s Forestry Development Master Plan aiming to eliminate Galamsey in forest reserves by 2035.
Point of information.
For 24 years (1992 to 2016), 5 companies got permits to mine in Ghana’s forest reserves. But in just a year (2022 to 2023) 10 companies got permits to enter Ghana’s forest reserves.#ForestInvasion pic.twitter.com/LzdUkUtYR7— The Fourth Estate (@fourthestategh) September 9, 2024
In interviews with Martin Ayisi, head of the Minerals Commission, and Ransford Sekyi, Deputy Director of Operations at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), both officials expressed ignorance of the existence of the master plan. It then begs questions about the coordination between government agencies and the future of Ghana’s forest conservation efforts.
The dramatic rise under LI 2462, compared to previous legislation, has bothered environmentalists who fear this trend could accelerate deforestation and environmental degradation in critical forest reserves.
Meanwhile, after squandering Ghc300 million of taxpayers money in the fight against Galamsey and failing to achieve any positive results, the government of Ghana now claims it will take decisive action against the menace.
