The Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission, John Allotey, has commended the progress made in the fight against illegal mining, commonly referred to as galamsey, particularly within Ghana’s forest reserves.
Addressing attendees at the 27th Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Institute of Foresters in Kumasi, Mr. Allotey highlighted that government-led interventions, including the deployment of the military, have significantly curbed the environmental damage caused by illegal mining activities.
Speaking on the theme “Mining in Forest Reserves in Ghana: New Developments and the Way Forward,” Mr. Allotey attributed the positive results to concerted efforts by President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration, including repealing Legislative Instrument (LI) 2462, which governs mining activities in protected areas.
He emphasized the importance of sustaining these interventions to further mitigate the effects of illegal logging and mining.
“Today, we can attest to a marked reduction in the level of illegal mining and its impact on forest reserves,” Mr. Allotey remarked. He acknowledged that while the progress is encouraging, the fight against illegal mining remains a continuous process.
The annual meeting provided stakeholders with a platform to explore innovative strategies to address the enduring challenges posed by illegal mining and ensure sustainable forest management.
