Ghana Forestry Commission and GoldBod Shift Strategies to Combat Persistent Galamsey in Forest Reserves

The Forestry Commission of Ghana has announced a major shift in its strategy to combat illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, by establishing permanent, round-the-clock security camps within forest reserves. This move comes as the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) pledges significant financial and logistical support for reclamation efforts starting in 2027. Together, these initiatives represent a more sustained and structural approach to protecting Ghana’s environmental heritage from the devastating impact of illegal mining activities, which have proven resilient against traditional enforcement methods.

Nana Poku Bosompim, the Western Regional Manager of the Forestry Commission, revealed that the decision to maintain a constant presence follows a pattern of illegal miners returning to sites with new equipment almost immediately after enforcement raids. During a recent eight-day intensive operation at the Cape Three Points Forest Reserve, officials destroyed 125 changfan machines and various industrial water pumps used by illegal operators. The operation also resulted in the arrest of 41 individuals, including four women, highlighting the persistent and organized nature of the threat. Bosompim emphasized that periodic raids are no longer sufficient to deter these miners, who quickly reinvest in new machinery to resume operations once security forces depart.

Supporting this enforcement drive, the CEO of GoldBod, Sammy Gyamfi, has outlined an ambitious reclamation agenda to restore lands already damaged by galamsey. Speaking during a discussion on X, Gyamfi announced that GoldBod will support the reclamation of three major forest reserves in 2027, building on current work already underway in the Tano Nimri Forest Reserve. To bolster these efforts, GoldBod has allocated GH5 million toward enforcement initiatives and resource mobilization. Gyamfi advocated for a comprehensive strategy that combines environmental reclamation with the formalization of small-scale mining and improved traceability within the gold sector to ensure better economic and ecological outcomes for the nation.

These coordinated efforts by the Forestry Commission and GoldBod signal a more aggressive stance against the degradation of Ghana's natural resources. By moving away from sporadic interventions toward permanent surveillance and long-term land restoration, the government aims to create a more resilient framework for forest protection. The success of these initiatives will depend on the sustained commitment of security forces and the effective implementation of GoldBod’s formalization plans, as the country seeks to balance its vital mining industry with the urgent need for environmental conservation under the administration of President John Mahama.