Ghana enforces mining ban in forest reserves

December 12, 2025

Ghana’s government has announced a complete prohibition on mining activities within designated forest reserves in a bold effort to reduce environmental harm. The new policy reverses a controversial 2022 regulation that previously permitted limited mining under strict conditions. 

The ban targets rampant illegal small-scale mining, known locally as galamsey, which has ravaged landscapes across the country — polluting rivers, destroying forests and encroaching on cocoa farms in regions such as Ashanti, Western and Eastern. 

Under the updated legal framework, which came into force after a 21-day constitutional waiting period, authorities now have firmer tools to defend Ghana’s natural assets, including water resources and arable land. The Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology says the measure is critical for sustainable development. 

Officials and environmental advocates alike have welcomed the decision, though many stress that enforcement and broader forest recovery initiatives are essential to fully address the damage caused by illegal mining. 

Major industrial gold producers operating in Ghana, including global firms, have reported frequent incursions by unauthorized miners on their concessions — prompting increased spending on security systems, surveillance and community engagement programs to protect their operations. 

Acting Environment Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah highlighted the broader benefits of healthy forest ecosystems, noting that they support rainfall, protect farmland and secure clean water for future generations.