President John Dramani Mahama has announced a new government policy prohibiting the issuance of mining leases in all forest reserves.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for the third batch of ministers on Thursday, January 30, President Mahama also revealed that his administration would swiftly revoke all mining licenses previously granted for operations in forest reserves under the previous government.
“It shall be the policy of this government to ban the issuance of leases for mining in all forest reserves. We must also move promptly to revoke all leases issued for the same purpose under the previous government.”
The president stressed the urgent need to curb illegal mining (galamsey) and unsustainable exploitation of forest resources, reaffirming his government’s commitment to environmental protection.
He also dismissed reports suggesting that his administration had authorized mining in forest reserves, emphasizing that no such approvals had been granted.
Furthermore, President Mahama directed the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, the Minister for the Interior, and the Attorney General to take decisive action against individuals and entities engaged in illegal mining.
