President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to revoke all mining leases issued for activities in forest reserves under the previous New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) administration.
The move, according to government, is part of ongoing efforts to protect Ghana’s natural resources and prevent further environmental degradation caused by illegal and unsustainable mining practices.
Speaking during the swearing in ceremony of 14 Ministers of state on Thursday, January 30, Mahama indicated that government will take immediate steps to ensure that mining operations in these sensitive areas are halted, and the necessary legal actions will be taken against those involved.
“Honourable Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, as Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, you will be charged with the duty of safeguarding the environment from marauding galamsey and managing our natural resources effectively.
“Let me take this opportunity to state that it shall be the policy of this government to ban the issuance of leases for mining in all forest reserves. We shall also move promptly to revoke all leases issued for the same purpose under the previous government.”
