President John Dramani Mahama has announced that Ghana has cleared nine forest reserves previously declared red zones due to the presence of heavily armed illegal miners.
He said the government was preparing the affected reserves for reclamation as part of efforts to restore lands destroyed by illegal small-scale mining, popularly known as galamsey.
Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Mining in Motion Summit, President Mahama said 48 of Ghana’s 288 forest reserves had been penetrated by illegal miners, with nine declared red zones because forest guards could not enter them due to security concerns.
“I am happy to note that we have cleared all nine red zones of illegal miners and are currently preparing those forest reserves for reclamation,” he said.
President Mahama disclosed that illegal mining had destroyed approximately 12,000 acres of land across the country, prompting the government to intensify efforts to reclaim affected areas.
He commended the National Inter-Ministerial Committee on Illegal Mining (NAIMOS) for its work, noting that the committee had reclaimed almost 800 acres of mined-out land and planted useful crops.
The President also said the Ghana Gold Board had awarded the Ghana Armed Forces a contract to reclaim 253 acres of land destroyed in the Pamu-Bremang Forest, with work currently ongoing.
He further disclosed that GH¢200 million had been allocated for the reclamation of 5,000 acres of land, with the exercise expected to begin in 2027.
President Mahama commended the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, NAIMOS
