Galamsey threatens Ghana’s forest reserves, Atewa could be lost – Afenyo-Markin warns

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has cautioned that Ghana risks losing its forest reserves, including Atewa, due to galamsey activities. He emphasized that the destruction of forests and water bodies in pursuit of gold poses a significant threat to the nation's natural resources and water security. During a meeting with the Christian Council of Ghana on October 6, Afenyo-Markin urged organizers of labor and religious bodies to take the scale of illegal mining seriously.

He highlighted that warnings from these groups should not be dismissed, as they conduct their own research on the issue. Afenyo-Markin criticized the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) for failing to differentiate between legally mined gold and that obtained through illegal means, which he believes encourages galamsey. He pointed out that GoldBod currently has no regulations to distinguish between regular and galamsey gold, leading to a lack of guidance for aggregators.

As a former chairman of the Ghana Water Company Limited board, Afenyo-Markin stressed the detrimental impact of galamsey on water resources. He noted that water treatment has become more expensive due to increased contamination, rendering some plants unable to function. He warned that if the situation is not addressed, Atewa Forest could disappear.

This warning comes amid ongoing concerns about illegal mining in Ghana's forest reserves. In September 2026, the Forestry Commission apprehended 12 individuals suspected of illegal mining in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, which is crucial as a watershed and a biodiversity hotspot. The meeting with the Christian Council is part of the Minority's ongoing engagement with key stakeholders on issues deemed vital to national development, such as illegal mining and the preservation of the country's natural resources.