Ghana Takes Bold Stand for Sustainability with Ban on Mining in Forest Reserves

The Government of Ghana has announced a sweeping ban on mining activities within the country’s forest reserves, marking a decisive move to curb environmental degradation, protect critical water sources, and safeguard livelihoods dependent on forest ecosystems.

The policy, unveiled in December, targets both legal and illegal mining operations—locally known as galamsey—which have been linked to widespread deforestation, river pollution, biodiversity loss, and declining agricultural productivity across several regions of the country.

According to government officials, the ban is part of a broader national effort to strengthen environmental governance and align Ghana’s natural resource management with global sustainability and climate commitments. Forest reserves play a critical role in carbon sequestration, climate regulation, and water security, supplying rivers and streams that serve millions of Ghanaians.

“Our forests are not just economic assets; they are life-support systems for communities, agriculture, and future generations,” a government spokesperson said. “This decision reinforces Ghana’s commitment to sustainable development over short-term exploitation.”

Beyond environmental preservation, the policy carries significant social and human-impact implications. Communities living near forest reserves have long borne the consequences of mining pollution, including contaminated drinking water, loss of farmland, increased flooding, and health risks. Environmental advocates say the ban offers an opportunity to restore damaged ecosystems and rebuild trust with affected communities.

Civil society groups have welcomed the decision, describing it as a long-overdue intervention that prioritises people, nature, and long-term economic resilience. However, they have also called for strong enforcement, transparency, and alternative livelihood programmes to support artisanal miners displaced by the policy.

To address these concerns, the government has indicated plans to expand reclamation projects, strengthen monitoring through satellite technology, and promote sustainable livelihoods such as climate-smart agriculture, eco-tourism, and responsible mining outside protected areas.

The move positions Ghana as a regional leader in environmental protection at a time when African countries are balancing natural resource exploitation with climate action, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable growth.

As global attention increasingly turns to ESG performance and environmental accountability, Ghana’s forest mining ban signals a clear message: protecting ecosystems and communities is central to the nation’s development future.

By: Gloryann Osang.