illegal miner arrested in Atewa Forest
Illegal miners operating in Ghana’s forest reserves could face stricter penalties under proposed reforms aimed at making polluters financially responsible for environmental destruction caused by galamsey activities.
This recommendation is contained in a study titled Ecological Damage of Illegal Mining in Water Bodies and Forest Management in Ghana, conducted by Dr. Kwadwo Ansong Asante and Dr. Lydia Osei and published by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA).
The researchers recommended that the Forests Protection Act of 1974 be reviewed and amended to align with the internationally recognised “polluter-pays principle,” which requires those responsible for environmental degradation to bear the cost of restoration and remediation.
According to the report, existing sanctions for illegal mining activities in forest reserves are inadequate and have failed to deter offenders despite the increasing destruction of protected ecosystems across the country.
The study noted that galamsey activities continue to devastate forest reserves, pollute water bodies and destroy farmlands, threatening biodiversity, water security and the livelihoods of local communities.
The researchers argued that strengthening penalties would help ensure accountability and discourage illegal miners from operating in ecologically sensitive zones.
Under the proposed reforms, offenders could be compelled to finance reclamation and environmental restoration efforts in areas damaged by their activities.
The report also called for stronger enforcement of environmental regulations and greater political commitment to tackling illegal mining, which it described as a major threat to Ghana’s sustainable development.
In addition to legal reforms, the study recommended declaring water bodies and riparian zones as permanent “no-go areas” for artisanal and small-scale mining operations, backed by strict environmental sanctions and property forfeiture measures.
The researchers further stressed the importance of creating sustainable economic alternatives for communities dependent on illegal mining, noting that youth unemployment and rural poverty continue to fuel the growth of galamsey.
The study forms part of broader discussions on measures needed to address the environmental and public health consequences of illegal mining in Ghana.
