General News
No Red Zones Since December 2025 – Lands Minister Highlights Anti-Galamsey Progress
Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has outlined significant progress made by the government in protecting Ghana’s natural resources, highlighting major policy reforms, stronger enforcement against illegal mining, and environmental restoration efforts during the first half of 2026.
Speaking at the Government Accountability Series held at the Presidency, the Minister described the lands and natural resources sector as a key driver of Ghana’s economic transformation, contributing to job creation, industrial growth, revenue generation, and environmental sustainability.
Tree for Life Initiative Restores Degraded Lands
Mr. Buah announced that the government’s Tree for Life Restoration Initiative has recorded encouraging results.
According to him, about 31 million seedlings were planted in 2025, achieving survival rates of 50 to 78 percent in the Northern Savannah Zone and 65 to 85 percent in the High Forest Zone. These efforts restored approximately 23,600 hectares of degraded land.
He added that the Ministry aims to plant another 30 million seedlings in 2026, supported by 2,719 Youth Forest Champions engaged in nursery development, tree planting, and forest protection.
Crackdown on Illegal Mining Intensifies
The Minister said government has strengthened its campaign against illegal mining, particularly within forest reserves.
He disclosed that enforcement operations have resulted in:
- 258 suspects arrested
- 6 excavators demobilised
- 1,225 water pumping machines seized
- 765 chanfan machines dismantled
- 430 illegal structures destroyed
He also revealed that no forest reserve has been classified as a Red Zone since December 2025, describing it as a major milestone in protecting the country’s forests.
Achimota Forest Protected
Mr. Buah further announced that on June 24, 2026, Cabinet revoked Executive Instrument (E.I.) 144, as amended by E.I. 234, restoring Achimota Forest to its original status as a protected forest reserve.
He explained that the decision safeguards the forest’s ecological importance and preserves it as a critical environmental buffer for Accra and surrounding communities.
Mining Sector Reforms
The Minister said government has introduced key legislative reforms to improve governance in the mining sector.
These include the passage of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2517 – Minerals and Mining (Royalties) Regulations, 2025, which establishes a sliding-scale royalty system designed to protect government revenue while supporting mining companies during periods of low commodity prices.
Cabinet has also approved a revised Minerals and Mining Policy 2014 and a new Minerals and Mining Bill to replace Act 703.
Among the proposed changes are:
- Creation of district mining committees.
- Introduction of a medium-scale mining category.
- A maximum mining lease period of 20 years.
- Mandatory Community Development Agreements for mining companies.
NAIMOS Records Major Enforcement Success
The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) carried out 200 operations across 53 districts between January and June 2026, recording an 84.1 percent success rate.
The operations led to:
- 207 arrests, including 161 Ghanaians and 46 foreign nationals
- 78 excavators seized
- 90 excavators immobilised
- 2,800 chanfan machines destroyed
- 1,244 illegal structures demolished
- Recovery of 112 pump-action rifles and 1,637 rounds of ammunition
To strengthen the protection of water bodies, the Ministry deployed an additional 452 Blue Water Guards, increasing the total number to 2,069 personnel across eight regions.
Responsible Small-Scale Mining
The Ministry has also launched the Responsible Community Mining Scheme Digital Platform (rCOMSDEP), which has registered more than 9,000 small-scale miners and 700 mining cooperatives to encourage responsible and sustainable mining practices.
Land Administration Goes Digital
Mr. Buah announced that the Electronic Land Information System (ELIS) is now operational in nine regions, allowing the public to conduct official land searches online without visiting Lands Commission offices.
Government has also introduced the Strategic Land Administration Reform Project (SLARP) and is piloting Land Banks to provide secure land for large-scale oil palm cultivation and agro-industrial investments.
In addition, a new Public Land Application Form (Form 5) and an updated premium pricing framework have been introduced to align land values with prevailing market rates while reducing encroachment on public lands.
Revenue and Industrial Development
The Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands mobilised GH¢265.61 million by June 2026, representing 75.48 percent of its annual revenue target.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) is advancing plans to establish a 2-million-metric-tonne aluminium refinery and a new Aluminium Foil Plant in Tema.
The Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) has also installed its first Electrical Grade Rod Mill to serve both local and European markets.
In the mining sector, the Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC) completed mineral resource assessments at the Asato-Gyamurume Iron Ore Block in the Oti Region, confirming the presence of high-grade iron ore deposits.
Government Reaffirms Commitment
Concluding his address, Mr. Buah stressed that Ghana’s natural resources must be protected for future generations.
“Our rivers are not for sale. Our forests are not expendable. Our mineral wealth is a sacred national inheritance that we have a duty to protect.”
He warned that government would continue pursuing individuals, financiers, and criminal networks involved in environmental destruction.
“The era of impunity is over. Government will continue to pursue every individual, every financier, and every criminal syndicate that profits from the destruction of our environment. The law will be applied without fear or favour.”
He also appealed to traditional authorities, security agencies, the media, and the public to support the government’s efforts to reclaim polluted rivers, restore degraded forests, and preserve Ghana’s natural resources for future generations.