The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah, says the Forestry Commission has successfully reclaimed all nine forest reserves previously declared red zones due to illegal mining operations.

These reserves, according to the Minister, had been under the control of armed gangs providing protection for illegal miners.

Speaking at the Government Accountability Series at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, 23 July, Mr Buah stated:

“I am happy to announce that, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, the Forestry Commission has successfully repossessed all nine (9) red-zoned forest reserves previously occupied by armed gangs protecting illegal miners.”

He said deforestation and forest degradation remain among the biggest threats to the country’s forestry sector, driven by illegal mining (galamsey), illegal logging, wildfires, and unsustainable agricultural practices.

“Within forest reserves alone, over 5,500 hectares, equivalent to 7,500 football fields, have been degraded,” he noted.

Mr Buah also highlighted recent enforcement actions taken against the illegal lumber trade.

“Additionally, 279 trucks conveying illegal lumber were intercepted, fined, and the illegal wood confiscated and auctioned,” he said.

As part of efforts to promote legal timber trade, the Minister revealed that Ghana is at the final stage of issuing a Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) licence under a Voluntary Partnership Agreement with the European Union.

“Ghana is expected to issue a FLEGT licence to accompany all wood exports to the EU market,” he said.

“The key outstanding requirement is the ratification of Timber Utilisation Contracts (TUCs), which is currently before Parliament for consideration.”

The FLEGT licence is scheduled to take effect on 8 October 2025.