The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has disclosed that 44 of the country’s forest reserves are under severe threat from heavily armed illegal small-scale miners, commonly known as galamsey operators.

He explained that forest guards and the Forestry Commissions rapid response team are unable to confront these miners effectively because they lack the advanced weaponry the galamsey operators possess.

Addressing Parliament on Thursday, February 20, the minister highlighted the growing crisis, stating, “Ghana’s forests are facing serious threats of deforestation and degradation due to well-known factors.

“The country is experiencing an unprecedented assault on its forest resources and water bodies, largely driven by illegal mining activities.”

He warned that the situation has escalated into a national emergency with severe security and public health implications, requiring urgent intervention.

“Mr Speaker, it will interest you to know that out of the 288 forest reserves, a whopping 44 of these forest reserves are under serious attack by illegal miners.

“They are heavily armed with sophisticated weapons and very violent with a large number of excavators making it extremely difficult for a forest guard and rapid response to control them since they have no such sophisticated weapons to control them,” he stated.

The minister further revealed that in more than nine of these affected reserves, illegal miners have completely taken over, preventing Forestry Commission officials from accessing the areas.