Double Illegality: How galamsey is opening Ghana’s forests to timber exploitation

For Aunty Maggie, the forest that once provided water and sustenance for her community in Aboaboso, Ashanti Region, has become polluted and unreliable due to illegal mining activities, popularly known as galamsey. The water is now unsuitable for daily use, forcing residents to purchase sachet water for their farms. This degradation of the forest is not merely about the loss of trees but encompasses the loss of water security, fertile farmland, and the devaluation of a vital natural resource.

Environmental experts warn that the double threat of illegal mining and subsequent timber exploitation could exacerbate these environmental crises. The Oda River Forest Reserve, a significant ecological resource in the Bekwai Forest District, has experienced severe disturbances from illegal mining activities, including abandoned pits, excavator tracks, and destroyed vegetation.

The Offin River system, which includes this reserve, has been impacted by the muddy waters, silt, and eroded banks resulting from these illegal mining practices. The consequences of such destruction are dire for communities that rely on these natural water sources. The extent of the damage is evident in the broader picture of Ghana's forest loss.

Between 2001 and 2025, Ghana lost approximately 1.9 million hectares of tree cover, as reported by the Global Forest Watch Ghana forest dashboard. A 2025 study conducted by Prof. Simon Abugre revealed that the illegal mining in the Oda River Forest Reserve expanded from 52.78 hectares in 2018 to 1,059.85 hectares in 2023, with a corresponding decline in forest cover from 16,959.89 hectares in 2018 to 15,952.82 hectares in 2023.

The study also noted significant reductions in vegetation and plant diversity in areas affected by illegal mining, leaving behind barren landscapes. These findings underscore the dire connection between forest loss and water security issues. WaterAid's study "From Roots to Rivers: How Deforestation Impacts Freshwater Access" highlights how deforestation impacts freshwater availability, particularly in communities like Aboaboso that are already experiencing the direct effects of galamsey's impact on their water supply.

The entrance of illegal mining into protected forest areas can create pathways for other illicit activities, such as timber harvesting. Prince Arhinful, a former illegal miner, explained that miners often use existing logging tracks to transport their equipment and gold, often clearing vegetation to prepare mining sites. This clearing not only exposes the land but also facilitates easier access for other activities, such as illegal timber harvesting.

Dr. Doreen Asumang-Yeboah, Executive Director of Rights and Advocacy Initiatives Network (RAIN), points out the interplay between illegal mining and logging, emphasizing that once a forest is opened up, it becomes increasingly vulnerable to various forms of exploitation. The presence of access routes created by miners and the destruction of vegetation can complicate monitoring efforts and hinder effective protection measures.

This "double illegality" underscores the urgent need for integrated strategies to combat both illegal mining and unauthorized timber harvesting, ensuring the preservation of Ghana's forests and the communities that depend on them.