Legal Aid Commission halts office expansion due to shortage of 44 lawyers

Forestry Commission vows to reclaim 1,533 hectares from illegal miners

The Western Regional Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission has announced a major escalation in its operations to halt illegal small-scale mining, or galamsey, within protected forest reserves. Regional Manager Nana Poku Bosompem declared that the commission is prepared to deploy the full force of the state to reclaim lands that have been decimated by illicit activities. Currently, seven of the region's 19 forest reserves have suffered significant damage, highlighting the urgent need for heightened enforcement to protect Ghana's natural heritage. Detailed data released by the commission reveals the scale of the environmental degradation and the intensity of recent enforcement actions. Between January and September 2026, approximately 1,533 hectares of forest land were found to be heavily impacted by illegal mining operations. During this nine-month period, officials investigated 36 separate cases, resulting in 159 arrests. Enforcement teams also focused on neutralizing the operational capacity of the miners, destroying numerous mining machines and makeshift structures used to facilitate the illegal trade. Nana Poku Bosompem emphasized that the commission will no longer tolerate the encroachment on these vital natural resources. He issued a stern warning to persistent offenders, stating that the authorities are escalating their measures to ensure that no illegal activity goes unpunished. The commitment to reclamation involves not only stopping current mining operations but also restoring the ecological integrity of the affected 1,533 hectares to prevent long-term environmental collapse. This intensified crackdown comes as part of a broader national effort to protect Ghana's biodiversity and water bodies from the destructive effects of galamsey. By focusing on the Western Region, which holds a significant portion of the country's forest cover, the Forestry Commission aims to send a clear message to mining syndicates that protected areas are off-limits. Future operations are expected to involve closer collaboration with security agencies to ensure that the 12 reserves currently unaffected remain protected from future encroachment.