By GhanaNewsPage 
In an emotionally charged press briefing, Ghana’s Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, was visibly overcome with grief as he recounted the widespread environmental destruction caused by illegal mining activities, also known as galamsey, in the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve.
During the media engagement on Monday, Minister Buah highlighted the scale of the destruction, describing the scene as “nothing short of a national catastrophe.”
Picture of Galamsey site of Akonta Mines
Fighting back tears, the Minister stated that the forest had been significantly degraded, with once-vibrant flora replaced by bleak landscapes, eroding topsoil, and polluted water bodies.
“It is deeply heartbreaking to see what has become of this once-thriving ecosystem,” Mr. Buah said, his voice trembling with emotion. “What we are witnessing is not just environmental destruction, but a violation of our collective heritage.”
The forest has turned into a wasteland
The Tano Nimri Forest, one of Ghana’s environmentally critical forest reserves, has sustained substantial damage as a result of unregulated small-scale mining. The illegal miners allegedly poisoned streams with mud and mercury, uprooted trees, and left open holes that endanger wildlife and nearby populations.
Eyewitness stories and helicopter footage show a woodland area that has been converted into a muddy wasteland, devoid of natural life and biodiversity.
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Latest Arrests and Government Action
Following the arrest of numerous illegal miners operating in the forest, Mr. Buah issued an emotional appeal. He assured the public that the government is stepping up its crackdown on galamsey operations across the country, and those caught will face the full force of the law.
“We are not only arresting perpetrators but also working with local communities, chiefs, and law enforcement agencies to reclaim and rehabilitate affected areas,” he emphasized.
The Lands Ministry has already established community-based surveillance groups, expanded drone monitoring of forests, and sent fast response teams to prevent further incursions.
A Call for National Responsibility
Environmental experts and civil society organizations have supported the Minister’s call for immediate action. Galamsey, which has long threatened Ghana’s forests, water sources, and public health, continues to undermine the country’s natural resource management efforts.
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Minister Buah advised Ghanaians to see unlawful mining as a national emergency that requires collective awareness and accountability.
Long-Term Plans for Restoration
In response to the devastation, the government has announced plans to rehabilitate damaged forest reserves through reforestation projects and partnerships with local NGOs. Efforts are also being made to promote sustainable alternative livelihoods for communities that rely on illegal mining for income.
“Our forests are our lungs,” the Minister said. “We cannot afford to destroy them in pursuit of short-term gains. The future of Ghana depends on what we do today.”
