The Ashanti Regional First Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Captain (Rtd.) John Kwame Jabari, has declared that all forest reserves in the Ashanti Region have been successfully cleared of illegal mining activities.
Speaking on Morning Starr with Joshua Kodjo Mensah, Cpt. Rtd. Jabari stated that the fight against illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey, has been tackled in phases. According to him, the first phase focused on eradicating all mining activities within the region’s forest reserves, which has now been completed.
“I can confidently tell you that currently, within the Ashanti Region, all the forest reserves have been cleared of illegal mining activities,” he asserted.
To provide evidence of this success, he announced that a media tour will be organized next week, allowing journalists to visit the affected areas and interact with forestry officials.
Cpt. Rtd. Jabari acknowledged the severe environmental destruction caused by illegal mining, describing it as “very, very bad.” He noted that the next phase of the fight will focus on reclaiming the damaged lands and replanting trees, a process that was recently launched with President Akufo-Addo in Nkaria.
“If you clear them out and you don’t reclaim the place, they’ll be tempted to go back,” he explained. “That’s why we are working closely with the Regional Minister and the Lands Minister to ensure proper restoration.”
He revealed that 17 individuals have been arrested so far, including Ghanaians and foreigners from China, Togo, Burkina Faso, Australia, and Canada. While many of the foreigners act as financiers, local operators execute the mining activities.
He assured that the task force, in collaboration with the Immigration Service, is working to crack down on both local and foreign perpetrators.
Despite challenges such as sophisticated mining techniques and illegal operators adapting to evade authorities, Cpt. Rtd. Jabari reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending illegal mining. He urged Ghanaians to remain patient, emphasizing that the fight is still in its early stages.
“The government is not against mining. If you want to engage in responsible mining, there’s no problem. But if you mine in forest reserves, on road networks, or in water bodies, this government is against it and we will come after you ,” he concluded.
