President John Dramani Mahama has outlined major gains in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, including the confiscation of 8,200 items such as changfan machines, excavators and other equipment used by illegal miners.
According to President Mahama, although the fight has not been a walk in the park, the government will continue to build on the gains to restore the natural vegetation cover of the land.
Speaking at the opening of the Mining in Motion Summit 2026 in Accra under the theme “One Continent, One Voice on Minerals: Working for Our People’s Prosperity,” President Mahama expressed satisfaction with the achievements so far.
“We have confiscated more than 8,200 items, including changfan machines, excavators and other equipment used in illegal mining,” he said. “We have confiscated 135 excavators that were being used in illegal mining, and we have retrieved almost 200 firearms from people involved in illegal mining.”
President Mahama further stated that nine forest reserves which were previously declared red zones have been retrieved by the government.
“Ghana has 288 forest reserves, of which 48 have been penetrated by illegal miners. Of those 48 forest reserves, nine were declared red zones, meaning forest guards could not enter them because illegal miners were fully armed. I am happy to note that we have cleared all nine red zones of illegal miners and are currently preparing those forest reserves for reclamation,” he explained.
The Mining in Motion Summit is a ministerial roundtable policy dialogue and artisanal mining workshop convened by His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
Further outlining the efforts made, President Mahama said nearly 12,000 acres of land have been destroyed by illegal mining. He was, however, quick to add that the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has reclaimed almost 800 acres.
“Illegal mining has destroyed approximately 12,000 acres of land in Ghana. We have embarked on the reclamation of these forest reserves, and I want to commend NAIMOS for the excellent work it is doing in this area. NAIMOS has reclaimed almost 800 acres of mined-out land and planted useful crops,” he said.
He added that the Ghana Armed Forces have been engaged to reclaim 253 acres of land destroyed in the Pamu-Bremang Forest.
Story by : Wisdom Hededzome
