Environmental advocacy organisation A Rocha Ghana has renewed its appeal for tougher measures to combat illegal mining, warning that the country’s forests and water bodies remain under serious threat despite ongoing interventions.

According to the group, galamsey activities continue to degrade forest reserves and contaminate major rivers, raising the long-term cost of environmental restoration and endangering livelihoods in mining-affected communities.

The organisation argues that current strategies have not delivered the level of impact required to halt the destruction.

A Rocha Ghana expressed concern that even with the revocation of LI 2462 and the deployment of security personnel under the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS), encroachment into protected forest areas persists.

It noted that some forest reserves designated as red zones are still experiencing illegal activity, suggesting that enforcement efforts have not achieved their intended deterrent effect.

The group further questioned policies that restrict the destruction of confiscated excavators, contending that such measures weaken the punitive force of the crackdown. It maintained that without stronger deterrents, illegal miners are likely to return to restricted areas after arrests and equipment seizures.

Speaking on Citi FM on February 22, 2026, the Deputy Director of A Rocha Ghana, Daryl Bosu, said the government must reassess its strategy.

“The government is very decisive, but the efforts are not yielding the necessary results. So, they should change the strategy,” he stated, adding that stronger enforcement and long-term reforms are needed to safeguard Ghana’s natural resources.