Steps are currently underway to repeal LI2462 to formalise government’s resolve to end mining in forest reserves,
Not a single licence has been issued to any company to mine in Ghana’s forest reserves since my administration resumed office.
Speaking at his maiden media encounter on Wednesday, President John Dramani Mahama explained that the repeal of LI2462 is intended to crystallise in law what his administration has already demonstrated in practice, which is the commitment to protect forest reserves from mining activities.
“Let me be clear, since my Administration resumed office, not a single licence has been issued to any company to mine in our forest reserves,” the President stated.
He stated that Government has established the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat, NAIMOS, as a central operations command centre coordinating the national fight against illegal mining and its associated environmental degradation.
He said the secretariat represents a coordinated effort across all security agencies and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
The President revealed that in operations conducted so far, 440 excavators have been seized and over 1,400 arrests have been made, with suspects awaiting prosecution.
He said over 300 changfan machines have been confiscated and destroyed, while over 900 water pumps seized from illegal mining sites have been handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture for distribution to farmers for irrigation purposes.
President Mahama noted that of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves, 44 have previously suffered varying degrees of destruction from illegal mining.
He explained that nine of those reserves had become no-go zones due to the presence of armed groups, but his administration has successfully repossessed all nine of these red-zoned forest reserves through the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources with support from security agencies.
However, the President acknowledged ongoing challenges in protecting recovered areas.
He revealed that 90 personnel have been recruited, trained, and deployed to the western and savannah regions where they conduct daily operations on major river bodies, serving as community vanguards to ward off illegal mining activities.
The President said an additional 1,020 personnel will be recruited and deployed by the end of the year, bringing the total force to 2,000 blue water guards.
According to Mahama, the next phase will focus on dechemicalizing and restoring water bodies to their pristine state. He noted that feasibility studies for these restoration efforts are currently underway.
The President explained that his administration has instituted a system for the proactive tracking of all imported excavators and earth-moving equipment from the port of entry.
“This involves collaboration between the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Finance, the GRA Customs Division, and the Ports and Harbours Authority,” he added.
President Mahama revealed that 1,200 excavators are going through the permitting process from the Transport Ministry, with clients from Customs Registration being viewed and tracked at the Minerals Commission.
He said so far, 1,015 earth-moving and mining equipment have been registered, with 647 registered and fitted with tracking devices.
According to the President, there are an additional 600 equipment at the ports awaiting clients.
He noted that an additional 350 tracking devices are expected by September 12, 2025, to enhance monitoring efforts.
The President said his administration is also taking decisive action to protect the environment and natural resources from destruction through the dedicated national taskforce that is actively combating the menace of illegal mining.
He explained that as a result of their operations, hundreds of excavators, water pumps and other heavy equipment have been seized, disrupting the networks that have long exploited Ghana’s lands and rivers.
The President noted that in addition to enforcement, his government is reclaiming what has been lost.
He said nine forest reserves have been successfully recovered from the grip of illegal miners, restoring these ecosystems under state protection.
According to the President, the Tree for Life initiative is being actively rolled out across the country, targeting the restoration of lands degraded by illegal mining activities.
He explained that the comprehensive approach combines immediate enforcement with long-term restoration to address both current illegal mining and its environmental consequences.
Richard Aniagyei, ISD
