Nearly 16% of forest reserves completely destroyed -Lands Minister

By Kizito CUDJOE

Ghana has lost 44 of its 280 forest reserves due to illegal mining activities, Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah said, stressing the alarming state of environmental degradation.

The estimated area impacted by illegal mining activities within the forest reserves is reported to be some 5,252 hectares of land, equivalent to about 7,504 standard football pitches.

This comes despite the country only previously granting mining leases to three mining firms, with a recent addition of 25 for mining in production forest reserves. Out of the 25 recent leases, ten of the companies have entry permits and are working in the forest reserves.

The Minister also warned of worsening water turbidity levels, which have soared between 5,000 and 12,000 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) in many areas of the country, far exceeding acceptable thresholds, of 0 and 500 treated by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) for human consumption.

“We are in crisis,” Mr. Buah who was speaking in Accra, during a day’s conference organised by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, themed “Restoring a Culture of Proper Small-Scale Mining in Ghana.”

While noting the new direction of the Mahama-led government to curb the destruction, he recognised that the role of Members of Parliament (MPs) forms part of the first steps, to engage and sensitize the population.

He said, “Small-scale mining, when done responsibly and within the framework of the law, is not the enemy” adding that it is a vital sector that employs millions of people while contributing significantly to the national economy.

However, he maintained that “The problem lies in the illegal and unregulated activities that have taken hold, driven by greed and a disregard for our laws and environment.”

He, therefore, reiterated that the government is fully committed to fighting this menace. “We recognized that this is not a challenge that can be solved by the government alone. It requires a collective effort—a partnership between the government, Parliament, Traditional Leaders, Local Communities, and all stakeholders.”

This, he said informed the organisation of the conference, “to sensitize and orient MPs on the effects of small-scale mining activities and to equip you with the knowledge and tools to lead the charge in your respective constituencies.”

Among the immediate steps taken to address the crisis – a systematic sustained well thought out and all-inclusive approach – he said includes strengthening enforcement efforts; deepening stakeholder engagements; and working on a review of the mining license regime.

 

“We are expeditiously reviewing the licensing regime to ensure a streamlined process so that only those who meet the legal and environmental requirements are granted permits,” he stated.

He explained that the government is proposing a local permitting and policing unit by expanding District Security Council (DISEC) membership to include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Forestry, Water Resources and Minerals Commission with reps from the traditional authorities.

Also, he revealed that a comprehensive review of the Community Mining Policy is also being developed to enhance transparency and ensure that ownership remains with the Community members.

The Majority Leader of Parliament, Mahama Ayariga, also speaking at the Conference, acknowledged the Ministry of Lands’ efforts to tackle illegal mining.

He noted the importance of involving MPs in ending this concerning issue and reiterated their willingness to fully cooperate and support these efforts.

The Vice President, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, also reckoned the alarming level of environmental degradation caused by illegal and irresponsible mining practices.

“Our forests are being degraded; our water bodies are being heavily polluted, rendering our lands barren. This is not only threatening our ecosystem but has also jeopardized the livelihoods of many communities that depend on these natural resources. All three water-basin systems in the country are under threat!” she stated.

She said restoring responsible mining practices requires a multi-stakeholder approach. “This is why we have outlined deliberate steps to curb illegal mining, regulate the sector effectively, and ensure that small-scale mining is conducted in a manner that benefits the economy and the local communities without compromising our environment.”

The Vice President noted the need for a multistakeholder approach, and on the back of this acknowledged the crucial role of Parliament in shaping policies, providing oversight, and ensuring compliance within the constituencies you serve.

She said “We must work together to ensure that small-scale mining is not synonymous with destruction but rather an avenue for economic empowerment, job creation, and sustainable development.”

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