The Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF) has called for decisive action against illegal mining following its 28th Annual General Meeting on November 6, 2025, at KNUST in Kumasi.
In a statement signed by GIF President Dr. Abukari Nantogmah Attah and National Secretary Dr. Paul Osei-Tutu, the Institute highlighted growing threats to forest reserves, including the takeover of protected areas by armed miners and the continued degradation of water bodies and forest cover.
According to GIF, 50 protected reserves—including 49 forest reserves and the Bui National Park—have been affected by mining activities. While nine forest reserves fell under armed miners’ control at the start of 2025, five remained occupied as of October.
The foresters also raised concerns over attacks on personnel, noting that some officers have been killed or severely injured while resisting illegal mining. Despite the risks, GIF praised the resilience of its members, calling them “unsung heroes.”
The statement further revealed that out of 1,190 illegal miners arrested between 2023 and October 2025, only 35 have been successfully prosecuted, a situation GIF says undermines the fight against galamsey.
While commending government efforts, including the revocation of about 300 small-scale mining licenses and steps to repeal L.I. 2462 and L.I. 2501, the Institute criticized the presidential directive against burning excavators, arguing that seized equipment often ends up back in miners’ hands.
GIF issued several recommendations, including reinstating the burning of mining equipment found in forest reserves, passing a new law regulating mining in forest areas, expanding forest restoration efforts, intensifying public education on galamsey, and transforming the Forestry Commission into a paramilitary institution.
“Nothing can justify the destruction of our forests and water bodies,” the communiqué stressed, urging Ghanaians not to “normalize the abnormal.”
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