The 28th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Ghana Institute of Foresters (GIF) was held on November 6, at the Amonoo-Neizer (IDL) Conference Centre, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi.

The event, themed ‘Foresters at the Forefront of Change: Tackling Mining Challenges and Advancing Forest Restoration’, brought together approximately 150 members of the Institute to discuss the pressing challenges facing Ghana’s forest resources, particularly the encroachment of illegal mining.

Chaired by Prof. Kyereh Boateng, a leading academic from the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources at KNUST, the AGM also welcomed special guests, including the Pro Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. David Asamoah, who represented the Vice-Chancellor.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr Hugh Brown, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, who outlined the role of foresters in the fight against illegal mining in forest reserves.

Dr Brown’s address centred on the detrimental effects of illegal mining commonly referred to as galamsey on Ghana’s forest ecosystems.

He emphasised the critical role of foresters in preserving forest reserves and advocated for more robust enforcement of laws to curb mining activities within these protected areas.

He also stressed the need for effective collaboration between stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability of the nation’s forests.

“Mining activities in forest reserves pose a significant threat to biodiversity, water bodies, and the health of our forests,” Dr Brown said. “It is crucial that we continue to tackle this issue head-on, with the support of all sectors, including government, civil society, and the private sector.”

MMrErastus Asare Donkor, a reporter with the Multimedia Group Ltd., presented a comprehensive overview of small-scale mining in Ghana.

According to his report, over 60% of the country’s water bodies have been polluted by mining operations, while several forest reserves have been severely degraded.

This alarming statistic paints a grim picture of the environmental toll caused by mining activities, particularly in areas like the Apamprama Forest Reserve and Tano Nimri Forest Reserve, which have been heavily impacted by illegal mining.

Mr Mronkor’s presentation highlighted the urgent need for more stringent policies and enforcement mechanisms to tackle illegal mining and protect Ghana’s natural resources.

“The damage caused by small-scale mining is not only irreparable in the short term but will also have long-term repercussions on the country’s environment and economy,” he said.

The meeting also discussed the current efforts by the government to address mining in forest reserves. These efforts include the revocation of approximately 300 small-scale mining licenses for violations of environmental standards, as well as the introduction of a new legislative instrument aimed at revoking L.I. 2462 and L.I. 2501, which have been criticised for enabling mining in forest reserves.

Despite these efforts, however, challenges remain. A spatial analysis of Ghana’s forest cover between 2015 and 2024 revealed a worrying trend: while open forests have increased, closed forests have seen a significant decrease, indicating widespread forest degradation rather than deforestation.

“The government has made strides in tackling the issue of mining in forest reserves, but more needs to be done,” said Prof. Kyereh Boateng, chair of the meeting. “We need more effective and immediate interventions to halt this environmental destruction.”

While the fight against illegal mining has been marred by political influence, corruption, and inadequate enforcement, foresters remain undeterred.

Tragically, some foresters have lost their lives or suffered serious injuries while attempting to stop illegal mining activities. Despite these dangers, the commitment of these unsung heroes remains steadfast.

Out of 1,190 illegal miners arrested between 2023 and October 2025, only 35 have been successfully prosecuted. This low prosecution rate has raised concerns about the effectiveness of current enforcement mechanisms.

“We commend the dedication of our foresters who continue to stand firm in the face of adversity,” said Dr Brown. “Their courage and selflessness are a beacon of hope in the ongoing fight to protect our forests.”

The AGM concluded with several resolutions and recommendations aimed at tackling the illegal mining crisis and advancing forest restoration:

1. Destruction of Mining Equipment: The GIF calls for the resumption of the destruction of illegal mining equipment, particularly excavators, found operating in forest reserves. "The burning of these machines serves as a deterrent and is in line with the forest sector laws," noted Prof. Boateng.
2. New Legislation: The Institute advocates for the creation of a new law on mining in forest reserves, which would permit restricted mining only in production forests while excluding protected areas that safeguard water sources and biodiversity.
3. Forest Restoration Efforts: There is a need to expand efforts to restore forests degraded by mining activities and to intensify public education campaigns on the devastating impacts of galamsey.
4. Support for Forestry Commission Reform: GIF strongly supports efforts to transform the Forestry Commission into a paramilitary institution to better address the growing challenge posed by armed illegal miners.
5. Condemnation of Recent Attacks: GIF condemned the recent attack on the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) in the Ahafo Region, which resulted in the unlawful release of arrested miners. The Institute commended the swift response by security forces in apprehending those responsible.

Prof. Boateng urged all Ghanaians to take action in safeguarding the country’s forests and water bodies.

"Let us not be the generation that watched idly as a minority destroyed our forests for personal gain," he said. "The Ghana Institute of Foresters calls for sustainable mining practices, and we are committed to working with all stakeholders to achieve this goal."