Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah Kofi Buah, has painted a disturbing picture of Ghana's fight against illegal mining (galamsey).

According to him, illegal miners have taken over nine forest reserves, preventing the Forestry Commission from accessing them.

The Minister told Parliament that galamsey continues to cause severe destruction to Ghana’s lands and natural resources.

"Ghana is currently faced with an unprecedented threat to our forest resources and water bodies due largely to illegal, small-scale mining activities, this situation has assumed crisis proportions.

"Over nine out of the 44 forest reserves have been completely taken over by these illegal mining thugs with impunity. The Forestry Commission no longer has access to these forest reserves," he said on Tuesday, February 19.

However, he reaffirmed the new government’s commitment to tackling illegal mining, vowing that it will not relent in the fight.