Galamsey is taking back our forests – Erastus Asare Donkor warns gains are being lost

Ghana is witnessing a concerning trend as illegal mining, known locally as 'galamsey', threatens to undo recent progress made in safeguarding its forest reserves, warns award-winning journalist Erastus Asare Donkor. Speaking on Joy News' PM Express, he expressed alarm over the regression of efforts to clear illegal miners from several forest reserves in 2025, which had already seen significant advancements.

Mr. Asare Donkor highlighted that at the start of 2025, numerous forest reserves were labeled as "red zones" due to the presence of armed illegal miners who had taken control, erecting roadblocks and preventing access to these areas. This included the Tano Amiya, Yoyo, Offin Shelter Belt, and other reserves, where forest guards faced fatalities and injuries. However, by the beginning of 2026, the Forestry Commission reported that no such red zones remained.

The journalist credited the improvement to security measures such as the IGP’s task force and efforts by NAIMOS under Colonel Boah. However, he now warns that these gains are being eroded as illegal miners are returning to the protected areas. Recent reports from Bekwai indicate that illegal miners have reportedly established camps within forest reserves, while some are using metal detectors to infiltrate these areas.

He cautioned that unless decisive action is taken, the progress made could be lost entirely. Asare Donkor emphasized that the situation is worsening, with the recently released excavators potentially falling into the hands of the very miners they were meant to stop. His concerns echo broader worries over the damaging impact of illegal mining on Ghana's forests and water bodies, despite heightened government and security operations aimed at combating galamsey.