Ghanaian journalist, politician, and communications consultant, Fritz Baffour, has called for the establishment of a dedicated forest ranger force to protect the country's forests and combat illegal mining, also known as galamsey.

Speaking on the Joy News AM show, Mr Baffour emphasised that the growing problem of galamsey can only be effectively addressed by creating a dedicated force whose sole responsibility is to safeguard the environment, particularly the forests.

“I believe that to solve the galamsey problem in this country, we must have a dedicated forest ranger force,” he stated.

Mr Baffour explained that the force should be made up of individuals with expertise in environmental issues and forestry. He also suggested that Ghana could benefit from international cooperation, seeking assistance from countries like Kenya and South Africa.

Mr Baffour proposed the establishment of a jungle welfare training centre in Achiase, where individuals could be trained specifically to protect the environment.

“We need to employ people who understand the forest, who are knowledgeable about the environment. We can get help from Kenya, we can get help from South Africa, and we should establish a jungle welfare training centre in Achiase,” he said.

Mr Baffour proposed discussions with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and geologists to help assemble a highly trained, active, and dedicated force to protect Ghana's forests. He stressed that the task of safeguarding the environment should be their sole focus.

“We can bring all our resources together, talk to the EPA, consult with geologists, and create a dedicated force whose sole objective is to protect the forests and environment of Ghana,” he explained.

Mr Baffour also underscored the urgency of the situation, warning that the country’s forests are increasingly under threat and that the situation is worsening by the day. He urged immediate action to prevent further damage.

“We have got to be armed because the situation in Ghana is critical, the forests are not safe,” he concluded.