Ghana President Mahama Confirms No Mining Licences Issued in Forest Reserves Since Return

President John Dramani Mahama has emphatically stated that since returning to office, his administration has not issued any mining licenses for operations within Ghana's forest reserves, underscoring a firm commitment to environmental protection. To legally reinforce this stance, his government is moving to repeal Legislative Instrument 2462, which previously permitted mining in these reserves. Efforts to combat illegal mining include deploying a dedicated national task force that has seized hundreds of excavators, water pumps, and other mining equipment, successfully reclaiming nine forest reserves from illegal miners. The administration has also recruited and deployed nearly 1,000 security personnel to protect water bodies and reserves, planning to increase this number to 2,000 by year-end. Restoration initiatives like the "Tree for Life" program are underway to rehabilitate lands degraded by mining, while tracking systems for mining equipment imports are being developed to curb illegal activities. President Mahama emphasized that these combined measures aim to preserve Ghana's natural resources and biodiversity for future generations.