Erastus Asare Donkor, renowned journalist, has voiced serious concerns regarding the resurgence of illegal mining activities in Ghana, particularly with returning miners returning to previously cleared forest reserves. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Mr. Donkor stated that the nation has experienced a significant improvement in forest reserve protection in 2025, but this progress is now being reversed, a concerning development.
He recounted a period in 2025 where several forest reserves were classified as ‘red zones’ by the Forestry Commission due to illegal mining activity, with armed individuals staging roadblocks and seizing control of the areas. He explained that even forest guards and rapid response teams were unable to enter these affected areas, citing instances like the Tano Amiya, Yoyo, and Offin Shelter Belt forest reserves, where several forest guards were killed and maimed, and that some were even lost to the illegal miners.
According to Mr. Donkor, the IGP’s task force and efforts by NAIMOS under Colonel Boah played a crucial role in the earlier progress. He further highlighted that the IGP’s task force and efforts alongside NAIMOS have contributed significantly to this progress. However, he warned that the situation is shifting, with illegal miners gradually returning to protected areas. The Forestry Commission recently indicated that illegal miners are returning to the forest reserves, citing reports from Bekwai, where illegal miners have been reportedly establishing camps.
He also raised concerns about the use of metal detectors by miners, describing them as ‘peeping, the dig and wash people,’ suggesting this practice is facilitating illegal activity. He pointed out that metal detectors are being used to enter protected areas, and that these individuals are holding them, creating a significant challenge to monitoring and enforcement.
Mr. Donkor cautioned that unless urgent action is taken, the gains made in combating illegal mining could be completely lost. He emphasized that the Forestry Commission has recently indicated that illegal miners are returning to the forest reserves, citing reports from Bekwai where illegal miners have been pitching camps. He also raised concerns over the potential for excavators seized during anti-galamsey operations to be released back to the illegal miners, adding to the loss of gains.
The situation is evolving, with the Forestry Commission increasingly focused on monitoring and addressing this resurgence. He further suggested that investigations into the seized excavators should be reviewed, noting that some were released back to the illegal miners, which is a significant loss of gains that he would say we have chalked.
The IGP’s task force and NAIMOS efforts have been instrumental in the initial progress. The situation is shifting, and Mr. Donkor stressed that without immediate intervention, the gains made could be entirely lost.
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Source: Adom Online
